Come on Pelle this boy’s worth a punt

By CandH blogger Allen Cummings

As we continue to struggle for form and fortune, suggestions abound as to what Manuel Pellegrini needs to do to get us rolling again.

One of the ‘big calls’ has been for Pellegrini to adopt a 4-4-2 formation – with a partner up top for Sebastien Haller. The big striker has been a popular addition since his arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt, notching four goals in 10 games.

But the cry recently has been loud and clear. Haller needs support up front. Someone to play alongside him – to feed off him – to share the goal scoring load.

With Michail Antonio still recovering from injury, the only other genuine strike partner looks to be Albian Ajeti – the Swiss international striker purchased from FC Basle during the summer in an £8m deal.

Pellegrini appeared to answer that call on Saturday, giving Ajeti a full 45 minutes in the second half alongside Haller. Previously the pair had only played a total of 51 minutes together in competitive action this season. So in Saturday’s second half did we see enough of the partnership to judge?

The stats show we scored twice during the time they were together – although the goals themselves came from Balbuena and Snodgrass. But did the double spearhead show promise? Was there a hint that it’s a partnership that could prosper given an opportunity?

We’re in the middle of a difficult spell. Pellegrini’s plan ‘A’ isn’t working. Should he go with plan ‘B’ – a front two on Saturday against Burnley? Give Haller and Ajeti a full 90 minutes together to see what they can do?

Only really being used in cameo roles in the Premier League so far, what Ajeti does have is pace – sadly lacking up front without Antonio and since the departure of the Arnautovic.

He was Basel’s top scorer in the last two season, netting 21 goals in 43 appearances last season. He’s capable of stretching defences the way Almiron and Saint-Maximin did for Newcastle last Saturday. Is it worth a punt for Pellegrini? What’s to lose in the present run?

My team for Saturday’s would be Roberto; Fredericks, Diop, Balbuena, Cresswell; Lanzini, Snodgrass, Rice, Anderson; Haller, Ajeti