Chicharito: Leading The Line at The LS

Finally Javier Hernandez is being deployed in his favoured position and it’s not surprising that the run of games has yielded goals and assists.

It’s not rocket science, Chicharito has scored goals at international, domestic and European level for his whole career when deployed as a striker. Yet for some unknown reason when he was purchased at the beginning of the season our then manager Slaven Bilic seemed intent on turning him into a winger. This added to the confusion over who actually signs players and despite a promising cameo away to Southampton Super Slav never truly trusted Hernandez.

Understandably his head dropped because he probably signed thinking that as our top earner he would be guaranteed first team football and given the platform to score goals as he has throughout his career. I doubt his mood would have improved dramatically when David Moyes walked through the doors at Rush Green and his worst fears were instantly confirmed when the new manager preferred anyone but him up front.

The little Mexican has kept plugging away though and through circumstance has found himself in a situation where Moyes was unable to select anyone else. That tactical switch has seen Chicharito score against Bournemouth, Brighton and Watford whilst also creating the penalty in the London derby against Crystal Palace. He’s playing in his preferred position as first choice and there can be no surprise that he’s now scoring goals on a regular basis . . . . . .  . he’s done it his whole career.

There are plenty of clubs in the Premier League who are desperate for a proven goalscorer and we have one of the best. Maybe nine points will make us safe but I’m quite certain that if Hernandez plays up front for the remainder of the season he’ll score enough goals to guarantee safety. It’s funny how consecutive managers have scratched around for a wining formula when the answer to our goal scoring woes  has been at the club all season long. As Joni Mitchell sang “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone”. . . .  hopefully we’ve realised exactly what we’ve got before it’s too late.