Haller’s hell remains a mystery

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!