Benrahma may be just the right man for Haller although Bowen was the beneficiary against Villa
David Moyes is facing a very difficult decision ahead of the game against Manchester United.
Despite the run of fine results since Manchester City the central striking position has and continues to cause big worries.
Does he go with Mikey or Seb?
It’s difficult to see how Antonio is going to be any fitter or stronger for the game…it’s equally difficult to see how the Frenchman is going to be any more effective than he has been so far.
However, we were given a clue that might just happen in the 2-1 win over Villa when – although Jarrod Bowen was the beneficiary – Said Benrahma provided the type of assist for the second goal that looks the kind of supply line on which Haller may well thrive.
The former Brentford star set up Soucek’s goal against Fulham and I reckon with the likelihood of the Frenchman starting we will probably see him get 90 minutes.
As I believed would be the case it was Arthur Masuaku who was subbed and it seems that’s the way the boss will presumably go if he makes such a decision on his starting line up.
Mikey will probably get 20 minutes or half an hour depending on how things are going but hopefully Haller and the Algerian international could be an exciting link-up. I hope that’s the way it goes.
My line-up: Fab, Coufal, Balbuena, Oggy, Cress; Rice, Soucek, Benrahma, Bowen, Fornals, Haller.
Even tho it was a terrible game last night, Haller did put himself about a bit more last night
I hope you are wrong Hugh, sorry. I think masuaku and the system gives us the balance that has resulted in our improvement. The left side with cresswell and Arthur is a strength and although masuaku is not a left back as a wing back he can defend better than benrahma who does not look like he can. He also helps that we don’t just lump the ball out of defence. Cresswell has been reborn in a back 3/5 and for the last 2 years he has looked a liability in a back 4. Would possibly try benrahma ahead of fornals just for balance. I also think Haller put himself about a lot more against Villa . He had zero service,A fully for Antonio is a shoe in but better for him to get fully fit than rush back
I agree Treaders. Anyone who watched Brentford last year knows Benrahma can’t defend, so 4-4-2. If we are playing two up front why not Haller an Antonio?
Cressy and AM are doing the job, so stay the course.
Think that Fornals needs to get his final pass decision making sorted out. For all his running about that is his weakest point and perhaps he should have a rest
I believe you play your best team every game you can. That means Antonio starting. I love Fornals but Benrahma has provided more in his recent outings so he gets the nod for me. Otherwise it’s the same formation as last night I think. Antonio will only get up to speed with more matches so for me he has to start.
I fleas surprised Moyes started Antonio, I would of used him as sub seeing as we won last game & he wasn’t in form. I think start Haller again & then halftime if need bring on Antonio to cause havoc. Either way I definitely try to take advantage of set pieces. Benrahma now has two assists looks good everyone says he has to come off for Fornals & Bowen was star of the game but Fornals has been very good . Benrahma’s first season at Brentford he played RW #10 & LW & got 17 assists. So he can play across. If we eventually get back to a 4231 with a strong LB then Antonio or Haller with Benrahma Fornals & Bowen would be a very balanced hardworking creative goal threat of attack. I do think back 3 suits us bc what was said about Masuaku who ive always liked on his day but also scares me at times with his decisions. Was happy to see Moyes make early changes though & it’s benefiting Benrahma. Was one of our worst game got some due luck but we tend to play well against Man U & start Haller or Antonio or Benrahma or Fornals either way that’s not bad attacking threats off the bench.
It’s great that we have options to be honest. DM must be loving the fact he can play several formations with what we have. Give Haller the start as Micky lacks suitable fitness but can come on as option. Silly to rush him back straight away. I have to say DM snd crew are doing something special – I wonder what the results would be in a poll asking proper fans what they think. He has my backing 100%. It would be nice to see less so called professional analysis from talentless non entities like Bent and Agbonlihor (wrong spelling but I don’t care,)…and also see Smith teach Jacko he can play without cheating…good on Kevin for standing up to Smith…anyway I’m digressing…proud to be a hammer with DM.at the helm…
Worried about a back four – the old wobble came back. It seems our players suit a back three and at present Arthur does defend. Perhaps Said should be competing with Fornals – he doesn’t look like a wing back. Fornals has great industry but nosebleeds a bit near goal so maybe?
Agree Pete, we were wide open defensively with a back four, I was wondering why he brought Noble on when he could have brought Diop on to shore up the holes in that defence and pushed Cresswell outside with Benrahma taking Fornals central position. 3 4 3 (5 2 3) is the formaton that works, I like Fornals also, a super athlete who gives 100% but if we want to unlock defences and create for Haller we need a player that releases the ball at the right time, at the moment that is not Bowen or Fornals who are both taking at least 3 touches too many by which time defences are set and chances are lost have seen this nearly numerous times over the last 3 games at least 20 where Fornals and Bowen’s greed has stopped us creating clear chances, they need to be asked to release the ball sooner to the player making a run or in space.
Agree Pete & 32. Said above & many times I like Arthur but in always still worried he will make a horrible decision like jumping in catching ball after giving away FK or something to get suspended. 32 I would of liked to see Diop I’m one of those who think he could do a job for us in mid to bc his pace & seeing if he could cover would be good in case Rice or Souček need cover. Fornals & Bowen have been greedy at times, which Fornals use to be the opposite he use to look for the passes more & could find those through balls like for Bowens first goal last season. Bowen created a good bit last season too & now I think he wants to get his 10+ goals. But both definitely have an eye for pass & can create. I think if they can sort that out with Benrahma Haller would thrive & Antonio. Has the potential to be an exciting front 4 if go back to 4231 but need a well rounded LB to get the best of that too so they don’t have to work as much. I like Johnson at LB tho & wouldn’t mind seeing him as LWB, he has arguably looked better inverted on left then on right.
Anyone suggesting returning to a Flat Back 4 must have rocks in their head, and evidently hasn’t paid any attention to West Ham during the past 4 years.
This season we have the 2nd best defensive record in the entire league thanks to our back 3 sytem.
We played a back 4 first game v Newcastle – just horrible. We did the same 2nd half v Villa and somehow got away with it, literally clinging on. No, no, no!