By Sean Whetstone
The news that Michail Antonio could be could be out for two more matches has come as a crushing blow for David Moyes but could he mix things up for Leeds and Crystal Palace?
Many would argue that Haller has been given several chances and doesn’t fit within the David Moyes system and maybe never will.
It doesn’t seem to play to his strengths and he is often devoid of support in his solo role upfront.
SO, could it be time to turn Benrahma as our centre forward in the same way and hope it becomes a similar transformation we saw in Marko Arnautovic and Michail Antonio?
The Algerian certainly knows where the goal is and looks the type of player who could thrive if given his chance in the starting lineup within the eight days featuring two winnable games.
Another option is to start both Haller and Benrahma but that would most likely mean dropping Arthur Masuaku with no guarantee a new system would deliver.
The manager proved he is not always predictable when he dropped Haller last week for unfit Antonio to start.
Is he brave enough to take a new gamble by playing Said up top?
Isn’t he barely 5 foot 2?!
Defoe was tint too!
Just can’t see it.
He’s not Antonio or Arnautovic in size or strength.
If he plays up front then we have to completely change how we play.
He won’t hold the ball up for Soucek, Bowen to play off.
We do play the ball direct a lot, so it will just come back.
I don’t rate Haller in the solo role, would rather drop Fornals and let him play as a 10.
Should have spent 25m on a centre forward and not a player to play out of position.
Let’s play Benrahma in his strongest position.
Bit of a curved ball. !! As Moyes had cleverly changed Arnie and Mich from wide players into effective centre forwards. Now maybe just maybe Arthur could also be converted to the CF position, after all he has the strength and pace. Fornals maybe?? due to his work rate could fill the LWB spot ??Just a thought.
Benrahma isn’t a centre forward.. Never played there and it won’t suit him
Does not have the strength of the two you mention
Would not be able to hold the ball up
Awful idea. Play him wide – his position – end of.
I don’t think dropping Fornals is the answer he is the only player who receive the ball with one touch and set players up with pass with his second. Benrahma is not a out and out striker Haller is our only option until Antonio is fit. We all know that Antonio will never play a full season he unfortunately has had hamstring and muscle problems since he became a pro footballer. So if Haller is not the answer we may be better looking to sign a striker
isn’t predictable. that has to be a joke.
I’d try Bowen as CF rather than Benrahma with Yarmo on the wing. I see Benrahma as effectively competing with Lanzini and Fornals. We can switch things around in each half.
if we are to play counter attacking football we need to replace those who slow the ball down – Coufal and Fornals slow our attack down constantly. Bring back Fredericks at RWB and get Benrahma and Bowen as inside forwards close to Haller.
I can’t see Benrhama fulfilling central role. May have the pace but he lacks height and possibly body strength. How about giving Yarmo a try in the central role?
One thing is for sure, though, if we pull the plug on Haller now, that’ll be it. He will be so demotivated we shouldn’t expect too much more from him.
We need to get through December’s games before the cavalry comes over the hill in the form of Josh King. Maybe the best we can hope for is the return of Mikey after the next fortnight. Let’s hope it’s not too much of a rough ride in the interim.
Fornals should be dropped for Benrahma not Masuaku, we need a focal point up front and like it or not we only have Haller to fullfil that role unless we dipped into the u23’s.