Haller disappointing over recent games
Let’s not disguise the fact any longer – Sebastian Haller has become a bitter disappointment although there wouldn’t have been many of us who were unhappy when we had the chance to sign him.
And that of course is the problem which surrounds so much – the benefit of hindsight – which allows us to make these wonderful judgements on players of whom. in reality, we all know very little.
I admit it! I’m as guilty as the next man. And I get that he may – like many foreign arrivals – need a period of adjustment.
Having got that out of the way there can be absolutely no reason to select him for the game at City following his non contribution to recent games.
And it’s a bitter irony that our hopes for the remainder of the season up front are stacked on Michail Antonio – a £7million signing from Nottingham Forest.
Quite what has happened to Haller is a mystery after a start which was full of promise. Many will probably jump on my case in singling him out given the form of the team overall.
But at the money spent it seems right now that it is another piece of poor buying by the previous manager and his director of football.
Haller was fine when things were going well in the early part of the season and the excuse always offered is that he needs a partner and that there has been a lack of midfield help.
But even if we accept that, his early ability of holding the ball up seems to have deserted him with the ball bouncing off him. Coupled with the lack of goal threat there really can be no place for him in the line-up against City and he has to be a doubtful starter beyond that.
Given that Ajeti was Pellegrini’s other option we need to hope and pray that Antonio can remain fit over the net 13 games!
Simply due diligence needs to be done on any player before signing them up ? Pellegrini bought him as a second choice after the massive failure to get Gomaz? Probably never even had Haller watched? Panicked in to getting him and probably never knew he’s not a ‘one up top’ type of striker ?? And for this IMHO West Ham have lacked in striking power with the tactics or system Pellegrini used and Moyes has used ? Surely Moyes’s by now must be seeing this ‘if he’s worth his salt as a manager?’ And or play to Hallers strengths, with two up top or drop him for the Lone striker role, and find someone to fill that particular role?? Or else nothing will change ‘ up front ‘? And goals will not be coming from strikers but from midfielder’s has to what’s been happening to most of this season games IMO
Completely agree with Dusty here on all points. Talked by the way with German fans in the summer who thought Haller was a good but limited player with an attitude problem. This was general knowledge in Germany. They were astonished by the fee.
Just to add, I feel sorry for the Haller. He needs a partner and the player who could supply the passes is being overlooked: Fornals.
I think Haller will come good – he’s clearly a talented player and has technical ability but it’s clear and obvious to me he’s not yet used to playing up top on his own. That’s not his fault – he’s played his entire career in a front 2, both at Utrecht and then at Frankfurt where he continually scored goals.
It just goes to show how useless our club is at doing their due diligence. Signing Haller should have been on the basis that we play to his strengths, but instead we played with a 30 yard gap between him and our midfielders. If we want to utilise him for the rest of the season, Antonio and Bowen should be within 10/15 yards of him in the final third and I’m fairly sure we’ll see a better Haller.
Agree his lack of form and confidence must put him on the bench – hopefully he will develop after a period of adjustment and with some good coaching. At the moment it seems that playing him is torturing everyone sadly.
Has Bowen seen enough and gone back to Hull already?
I genuinely feel sorry for him Hugh, let’s face it the whole team plays with a lack of confidence.
Many supporters feel we’ve made a mistake signing him , but I bet he feels he made a mistake coming here too. We desperately need a couple of wins to start lifting the confidence in the side.
Let’s hope things turn around soon.
I agree with this, what a disappointment. I’ve tried to stay patient and also said he needs a partner etc. Pellegrini really didn’t do his research on this one or understand how to get the best out of him. Nothing can excuse his laziness though. Another one in a long line of players for us who don’t have the fight needed to get us out of this mess.
I think he has been unfortunate as he’s learning a new role ( 1 up ) vs a team that played 3 up in Germany.
On top of that he’s playing in a team with no pace, no creativity, no midfield runners going past him and a team with zero confidence.
Our creative players ( so called) Lanzini, Anderson and maybe Antonio have been missing all season.
He generally has 4 marking him, has the ball played head height and has to battle against that with no one within 40 yards of him. No wonder he’s struggling.
I feel sorry for him playing in the negative way we do.
He never had lots of pace, so it’s our fault buying a player that doesn’t fit what we needed.
Agree poor signing, almost another panic buy.
Pellegrini liked to play with Dzeko at Man City, I think he was after similar, big man up front but they had class players playing with him.
Having watched Vardy’s play against Wolves, Haller’s work rate leaves a lot to be deisred. I believe if he worked harder he has the ability. Also, is not used to the constant fouling that occurs in EPL.
Big, strong, young. Let’s see how the season plays out and give him play time.
What formation was he played in at his last club?
Which style of play?
Was he surrounded by players with pace?
A real director of football would have looked at these things before making the purchase.
Yes, and we don’t have a “real” Director of Football.
By the way, Manchester United is out there looking for a high end DOF. It would be nice if we learnt something and did likewise.
I see where all the above comments are coming from,but I would give Haller one word of advice,amongst all the others he’s had, and that is to get hold of some film of the likes of Richarlison,Deeney,Vardy,Mitrovic etc and see what is required for the Premiership.
He’s been poor and I’ve slated him for it! However I don’t think he should be dropped. We need Micky to be on the wing he isn’t a striker and no one can tell me otherwise. Micky can’t play with his back to goal and his finishing is poor. Other than that we desperately need him back! So for me my team would be if everyone was fit:
Fab
Fredericks Og Diop Cress
Rice Soucek
Anderson
Bowen Antonio
Haller
With the front three changing position
His goal record in Germany was fantastic, and to be fair he started well enough for us.
Like most of our players he has got worse and worse and worse as the season has gone on. Looks totally shot of confidence to me right now
If Antonio is fit, I’d drop him to the bench for away at city, where a point would be a great result, same for liverpool if it works out.
Foreign arrivals? geez what a dinosaur – didn’t you get the kick it out racism memo? you can’t say things like that any more, you sound just like Ron Atkinson!
I think he is actually a class player and he showed in his early games that he has good touch. The problem is his confidence is completely shot and what it will take for him to get it back is anyone’s guess. I think the remainder of the season will show how mentally strong he is to work through this rough patch.