Benrahma – deserves a start.
(Photo by James Griffiths/West Ham United FC via Getty Images)
So the big question facing David Moyes remains the same as it has done since Mikey Antonio got injured – does he again go with Sebastien Haller for the match on Wednesday evening?
Said Benrahma is not recognised as a centre forward but there were certainly times against Leeds when he looked far more like one than Seb.
Gotta say I do have sympathy for the Frenchman – once you are stick in such a depressing run of form you are just praying for an explosion which will finally see you erupt into the player you know you can be.
I was surprised that Moysie had nothing else to say about his performance when asked after the game other than: “I thought he should have scored.”
I’m sure the guy is getting all the support he can rightly expect but it was significant that he seemed uninvolved in the joyful celebrations and was wearing what can only be described as a very sad face at the end.
Personally, I think he will get one more chance but if – as was the case – it isn’t working by half time the manager will need to do something new.
And that would surely be playing Said through the middle joined, I hope, by Lanzini who surely deserves his chance as memories of that Spurs wonder goal start to fade.
An interesting side issue will be to see how the Algerian compares to an alleged early summer Moyes target -Eberechie Eze – who has been in decent form for Palace.
I know Seb didn’t have the best game on Friday, but he nearly missed on having 2-3 goals, some just by a deflection or sheer luck. If those goals went in, we’d be singing his praises. I think recently he’s just been unlucky and would start him again. December/January has too many games that if we throw Micky out there now, he’d just get injured again.
Yeh , MaBlaze . We are all waiting and hoping Haller wakes up soon . But I’m not so sure it’s totally due to bad luck . There is an issue with his accuracy and clinical finishing technique .
His positioning and , at least to the eye , his lack of trying hard enough to find himself in the right position . It’s difficult to play to someone’s strengths when that player doesn’t demonstrate the strengths he is perported to possess . I can’t deny he has the ability but it’s getting to the point where he really does need to show it . I most sincerely hope he finds himself eventually , but , I must say ; it’s taking forever .
Why would the next goal jump start him when the last goal never? He scored a cracker against S.U. and went back in his shell the very next game. I desperately want him to succeed because a goal scorer is all we’re missing. However I’m beggining to despair of ever seeing some consistency. Serious question to the Seb advocates, how long do we keep waiting? When is enough enough? Could Yarmo or Benrahma or even Bowen be more effective? All questions that the manager must be mulling over, I suspect. COYI.
You’re right , mooro . I’m also starting to despair with Haller . I have supported him because I think he can make it , but as I have said it’s taking forever . Maybe , as you say Moyes could use Yarmolenko or Bowen ; I feel Benrahma is in a better position playing just in behind the attack . It would be interesting if Moyes tried to make a striker out of Bowen though . As he did with Anautovic . Anyway let’s wait to see if there is any movement during the next window .
Whilst I believe there isnt to much choice but to play him. I however, looking at Palace’s C.B’s, wouldn’t play him. I think the likes of Dann, Cahill, Kouyate even will just bully Seb off the ball. I think playing Benrahma, Fornals and Lanzini (who loves playing Palace) behind Bowen up top will give us plenty of pace to get in behind their C.B’s who aint the quickest around.
I would play him from the start again but tell him if you haven’t scored or at least put it all out there on the pitch by half time you won’t be starting the second half or any other matches soon, normally don’t advocate those type of approaches but may putting a rocket up him might help him kick into gear. Hopefully Yarmolenko will be fit enough for the bench, it’s not long until January where hopefully we will invest in another striker.
Nobody would like to see SH start showing us all what he has, and scoring for us. However, personally, for me he hasn’t been right from the start and I’ve certainly not seen anything to change that point of view. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a forward bullied off the ball as easily as he is. Don’t they do that in Europe? Also, if you know you’re going through a bad patch at least show the supporters that you care by giving it all out there, no? I’ve no doubt he’ll start again but he’ll be subbed at half time.
I’d love to be proved wrong.
With you Hammerian. It is like watching a kitten get pushed off the couch. When your game is off, work harder to help make up for your deficiencies.
Expect him to start given he and Behrhama have had little time to gel. Off at the half if poor form. Bowen to striker, Snoddy to the right (better defender than Yarmo).
You need Haller to occupy those Palace CB’s. if he does it creates room for Benrahma and Bowen. Palace won’t do anything exciting or silly at the back and will close space for our counterattacks that worked at Leeds. They will also match us at set pieces. We will not get many chances so need to be far more clinical from open play. We will need a target man. This is not the game for a false 9 or lightweight like Yarmolenko in the role (look what Posh CBS did to him in the U23’s!) Haller may not be the goal threat we all want for the fee but he can do a job on Wednesday.