It’s only an impression but I’d be extremely surprised if Sebastian Haller becomes a long term David Moyes centre forward.
We know enough about the manager’s preferences to understand that in the likes of Marko Arnautovic and Mikey Antonio, Moyes is a manager who wants energy and plenty of it.
And although Haller was injured as the season resumed it is impossible to believe he would have been anywhere near having a shout over Antonio who showed every attribute required of an out and out striker.
That certainly proved to be the case once he was fit although of course Mikey was in totally outstanding and impossible to replace.
I understand that first seasons are always difficult but seven goals for 35 appearances is not what you are looking for in a near €50 million player, first season or otherwise.
But it’s not so much that as his style which I think will focus Moyes’ mind given the all action player he seems attracted towards.
Interesting times!
First thought that Haller had been unfairly dropped in the deep end being isolated up front with no decent service. However have now come to the conclusion, after seeing Antonio perform in this position, that Haller is not suited to Premier style of play. He neither seems to have the appetite or the strength to deal with the type of football he is being asked to play
I feel that the issue with Haller is not Haller, it’s the position he is being asked to play. He was great when he was part of a front two or three in Germany. What confuses me is why someone would see a striker who scores goals for fun, playing in a system that suits him and then buy him and ask him to play in a position that doesn’t suit him, expecting the same goals to game ratio You can’t blame Haller for that. It would be like signing Andy Cole or Dwight Yorke, after seeing them perform so well as a strike partnership and then asking them to play the lone role up front. It doesn’t take a genius to work out why it might not work.
I think Haller is a very good striker that we can’t afford to sell at a huge loss. There lies the quandary
Saul
July 27, 2020 at 11:22am
Finally someone else gets it. Spot on every word.
All I can add is that to break teams down in the league u need to be able to mix it up tactics wise, and so having a pair of strikers to play 4-4-2 is a must.
Antonio simply is not a consistent enough finisher to be our main goal threat. I know he has scored a good number this season but look at the number of good chances he has missed. He has missed a number of one on ones. Still think Haller is best finisher in the club – we need to get him more chances in the box. Don’t know how many times yesterday that Yarmolenko and Fredericks checked back from a crossing position when he was on. He would benefit from time on the pitch with Bowen who delivers a quality ball.
Totally agree Ridders, Haller has a lot a ball skill as well. I cannot believe that Antonio’s attempt yesterday was with the outside of his right foot and hit it to the keeper’s left ( where did he think the ball would go?) I am not knocking his endeavour or energy, but he is an instinctive player who scores goals when he doesn’t think about it too much and lacks finesse. Haller on the other hand does bring others into play and has good feet and height. He does however need to be more aggressive and needs a partner. I am sure Bowen would work well with him
There can be no doubt that Antonio’s our first choice over Haller right now. If we got a decent offer for Haller, I’d expect we’d sell, but the transfer market is depressed by Covid so large bids are unlikely.
Maybe Moyes can turn Haller’s poor form around? He looks way down on confidence from the player we saw in the Bundesliga or at the one that arrived at the start of the season. His quality is there somewhere – maybe Moyes can find it.
Last year we were hoping Haller would get decent service from Anderson, Lanzini and Fornals, but that didn’t happen. Maybe with the pace of Diangana on the left, Bowen on the right and with Antonio stretching defences, Haller might find space in the box. I agree with Saul – We kept hoisting the ball up to him from wide positions or from deep, but he doesn’t look comfortable or threatening when we do that.
One things for sure, something’s got to change, or we’ll be in for another relegation battle next season.
This will be a difficult subject that will have to be tackled by Moyes asap going forward.
Firstly, Haller was brought to the club by Pellegrini who I’m not entirely sure if he had a plan on how to utilise him. Many supporters will be divided by any decision related to Haller, his use or him being sold.
Will Moyes look to build a team around him? Has Moyes got the funds to build a team around him???
Maybe Moyes could have his eye on a player who may turn out to be the perfect foil for Haller and could transform him into the unplayable goalscorer that he has been in the past. Who knows, Moyes seems to be able to find a workaround for most situations and I’d be over the moon If Moyes could find one for the Haller situation.
Fingers crossed that Moyes finds a solution for this because if he can bring the goalscorer out of Haller, with a few adjustment around the rest of the team, we could come out of the blocks firing on all cylinders this coming season.
Fredericks & Fornals need to find the door. Haller should be kept to play alongside Antonio. Yarmelenko is absolute quality & after coming back from injury, showed he can help us where we lack ability to hold the ball & pass to feet ratger than hit n hope! Noble??
I disagree Fornals should go, he is finally being of use.
We should be rid of Cresswell, Wilitshire, Noble, Snodgrass, as well as Anderson and Haller.
Let’s have a massive clear out, make some money and then spend it on good hard working YOUNG players. Better to have hard workers, than so called Class players who cannot always be bothered.