The potential departure of Sebastian Haller to Ajax presents manager David Moyes with a new striker issue for the match at Stockport County on Monday evening.
It seems unlikely the Haller deal will be completed by the time we play the game but there’s bound to be a massive temptation not to play the striker given the possibility of injury.
The Hammers will want nothing to get in the way of his move and Moyes may now be considering his alternatives up front for the match.
They are limited in the extreme and it has to be highly questionable whether he will risk Michail Antonio over the 90 minutes given the importance of him being available for the next Premier League game against Burnley on January 16.
Thus, it seems the alternative – which has been discussed on this forum for some weeks – may come into play with Andriy Yarmolenko playing through the middle.
The Hammers have been looking at a number of strikers and will be hoping to land one of them, at least, before the end of the transfer window but the manager may be keen to see if he has a serious alternative available in the Ukrainian.
I think Moyes might have tried Yarmolenko up top before if not for worrying about the effect that might have on Haller. With Haller out of the picture we might get to see who Moyes would like to try as striker whether it be, Yarmolenko or bowen, or Souchek or someone else from within the pack which he has hinted he would like to find in the same way he did with Arnoutavic and Antonio in the past.
Kerry I agree with you. Who knows Yarmolenko has a good first touch which Haller didn’t have he has played there for his country and who knows it might turn out to be another masterstroke by Moyes nothing ventured nothing gained. As you said it has worked out well previously
I say give it a go Hugh he has plated there for his country and scored goals. I think the manager would not risk Antonio as Burnley Wba and Palace next up would be the games to go all out for wins. The way we are playing a min of 5pts would be ok but 6-9pts are not impossible. The teams above us would all struggle to get 9pts as they all have to play each other
Against Stockport Yarmo could be a good option – another left field option that I have seen on some of the feeds is Issa Diop? though he may be played as a central defender to give Oggy a break
Rather see them give Odubeko a run out with first team
Whoever said play Souchek up front, good shout.
By the way, the manager at Ajax who wants Haller was with Haller for two years at Utrecht so it’s not as if they are being mugged off. They know what they are getting.
If Haller is on his way out it would be absolute madness to risk an injury against Stockport.
I’m sure that Yarmolenko will prove to be more than an adequate replacement at CF. Providing everyone else don’t just sit back and watch. Yarmo is no Andy Carroll !
I’m just as sure that Jarrod Bowen can do a job there too.
COYI
Yarmolenko up top is the perfect answer. Protect Antonio at all costs. Put him on the bench. We are allowed 5 substitutions
Stockport might be the opportunity to give PL2 or Academy player a taste of starting for the first team.
COYI
I agree and fancy a pairing of Yarmelenko and Bowen with them switching places during matches (CF / RW) to confuse their markers.
Like it 👍
Yarmolenko up top will be atrocious.
I’m in the Yarmo camp as he has a great touch and hold game and is an international goalscorer. Would also love to see a young player get a sub on too.
Plays striker for Ukraine, no reason why he can’t do that for us.