By Simon Leyland
What on earth are we going to do about Thilo Kehrer?
The 26 year old defender joined us from PSG for at the time a relatively cheap £10 million. The signs were there from the start – the rash tackling, the penalty against Brighton and a Mr Magoo like quality in reading the game.
Against Newcastle on Saturday he went off at half-time yesterday with a “knock”. In all probability he would have been substituted anyway.
Yet again not a great game from the German as he was caught flat footed (for seemingly the umpteenth time in recent games) in the first few minutes ,when Callum Wilson was played through to put Newcastle 1-0 up.
The error strewn German`s confidence must be at an all time low. Perhaps Moyes could have one more throw of the dice by moving him into a defensive midfielder position which was his favoured role at PSG.
What is it with West Ham and playing people out of position? Remember that Arsenal game in 1995? When `Arry sent on reserve goalkeeper Les Sealey as a striker !
But then again we may have the best and only viable version of Kehrer. If so, PSG must be laughing their socks off. 10 million quids worth – indeed !
Presumably these positional errors can be coached out? The recurrent theme here is Moyes signing players then playing them in a totally different position. Or not playing them at all (Vlasic). Why play Kehrer at c/B and r/B when he was midfield at PSG? Why is Paqueta at 10? Why is Fornals left wing? Scamacca has never played lone striker. Why has Ben Johnson played in four different positions, and none of them for three consecutive games? Bonkers Moyes
The Kehrer situation is so strange! PSG must have had faith in his quality when signing him, later to realize he is not good enough to get them the CL trophy (fair enough). He plays quite a lot for the German national team. Those two factors got me excited when we signed him on a “cheap,” yet it doesnt seem to work out at all?
I thought he did ok for a change against Newcastle. I think he could provide good cover on the right hand side of a back 3 when we play a back 5. I dont think we can trust him in a back 4. Some people say he could do well as a rb, I think he makes too many mistakes as a defender to play rb but if we play 5 at the back he could do a job as the right sided CB.