The performance against Sheffield United has been discussed relentlessly over the last 24 hours and there’s no point in going over old ground.
But there was another aspect during and towards the end of the game which probably worried me almost more than the missed chances and goalkeeping error that let Sheffield United get back into the game.
In two words in was the “body language” of two players who are possibly the most important in the team at the moment – with the exception probably of Declan Rice.
Let’s take the most obvious first. Felipe Anderson’s face was not good as he left the action for Manu Lanzini, who produced an entirely ineffective 25 minutes when we should have been battering the visitors as we hunted for the decisive goal.
The Brazilian had answered every question after being hauled off at half time last week. He had been a man on a mission and could easily – such was his performance – have inspired a winner yet once again he was hooked. Not good, not good at all.
His “what do you want of me ” expression wasn’t hard to read as he left the action after his best 75 minutes for several games (maybe) and he had every right to be an unhappy bunny because he seems to be a regular for the hook, along with the captain, at the three quarter point.
Yesterday was different; we all knew it was a mistake, perhaps made in order to keep Lanzini sweet, but I think it could well have lost us two points.
But more importantly – and I desperately hope I’m wrong -it may well be sending the wrong message to the player when being removed from the action regardless of how well he may be playing.
Remember he was brought off last week at half time – deservedly – and it was obvious from the start he was proving a point but having done so it made no difference to the manager’s mindset and off he came.
Meanwhile, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that Seb Haller is getting cheesed off with the one-up job and his body language seemed at times to be sending out some pretty clear messages about it.
There was a sullen look about him at times and some glares which didn’t look at all good – he needs a partner and quickly.
However there was another worry yesterday and, in fairness to the manager who wants more from him in the penalty area, he was indeed missing when a few balls came in.
Both Zaba and Cress were supplying a little ammunition at times but towards the end it was Snoddy who was the only Hammer in a position to try squeezing home one opportunity from close in and Cress himself another.
I didn’t see Seb in the vicinity and maybe that’s what the boss was indicating in his remark about wanting more from him in the penalty area.
Ok, this is no time for over reaction, but it would probably be wise to keep an eye on the body language over the next few games because it often tells us more than results!
At times yesterday it was speaking quite loudly for the first time this season!
Totally agree Anderson must think he will be coming of however he plays and he could of got a winner…we said last week and maybe the week before it’s no time for over reaction so when is it time for reaction.. Haller has got the look of what the hell am I doing hear to be brutally honest
Buck stops with Pellegrini.Some of his decisions over the past month have been totally bizarre in team selection and substitutions.His reluctance to use anybody from our in form U23s is the one annoying me most.Somebody needs to come up with a couple of shrewd signings in January.Ajeti looks totally out of his depth and Fornals is looking like a very expensive mistake too.Hope he proves me wrong.
I think Haller needs a partner up front with him.
How come Liverpool can play xciting and winning football with 3 strikers but we can’t?
The problem is we have a manager who has NO VISION and can’t think outside ‘the box’..
It’s the same old nonsense from a tired old manager with ZERO modern ideas…
Boring, boring boring..
I guess that I am one of those who was told off for over-reaction on here yesterday and thinking about it I am totally to blame – four games which I didn’t watch (Norwich, Villa, Man Utd and Bournemouth) produced our better performances but the other six league games that I did watch were worrying – even Watford at 1-1 if Will Hughes had scored the sitter we may have lost, Brighton we were lucky to draw, Man City and Everton we were dire and Palace and Sheffield Utd we were disappointing – and in the latter two games, while we had more of the ball in the first half, we were not really threatening. Pelle talked of us missing chances in those games but to be honest the opposition missed better chances on the break. What I am hoping for from Pelle is a comfortable victory against Newcastle – who will also give us possession and be difficult to break down
If all else fails I will promise not to watch 😉
Yes, zahama, it’s probably all your fault. In your defence, I always find your comments well-reasoned, appropriate and constructive so please carry on posting your opinions … just stop watching the games …
Let’s not over react Pelle is the best manager we have had in years he will get it right . It’s just a little tweak needed to get the midfield closer to Haller , who’s probably just not happy he isn’t getting the service he wants . Probably a mistake to hook Anderson but I guess Pelle wanted fresh legs to try and win . We will click very soon I feel it . COYI ⚒
My body language wasn’t great, either, at full-time. At least England won the rugby on Sat otherwise all my language would have been far worse ….
Can’t understand why Anderson was subbed – he looked the most likely to hurt them, in my opinion. Hope Snoddy’s positivity can be catching around the rest of the team this week, like a virus. COYI – please don’t say we’re going to struggle against a team containing Joelinton and his hair-do …
What happened to my comments or do the moderators not like criticism ?
Get many responses so can’t remember. Any would be removed if they included swearing, abuse or loose language. Not saying you did and if that’s the case it was an error, submit again
I think we got to remember were not a top four team, even though we got a good start to the season. A team like leicester, who were competing against have better players on seven positions i would say. They won the league a couple of years ago. Let’s get behind all the players and see where it can take us. Anything above last years finish is still a good season for us. top 8 would be great!
4 4 2 or 4 3 3. , take your pick but either of them surely has to better than 4 2 3 1 . At the moment even Newcastle look odds on to beat us . We are toothless with the present Pelligrini mind set . Being stubborn is one thing , but making the same crazy decisions day after day is killing our season .
Ok .definitely was no swearing .but I will edit what I said.basically I thought this article was attempt to stir the fan base with a silly headline and with something you can’t possibly know what the players were thinking as you are not an expert on body language .I have seen others critisise you and this site in the past but never really agreed .but over last few weeks i see what they mean when we were doing well there’s over top articles of top 4 or 6 and pelligrinne is the best manager we have had etc but in last few games we have been bang out of form for a month it’s become fickle as anything you would think we bottom of the league .with articles suggesting players unhappy pelligrinne not got a clue.etc and I just thought this particular piece was a bit pathetic
Ok mate that’s fine. Thanks for your thoughts. It was always gonna be a controversial piece and it wasn’t written without studying replays to which I have access but no issues with anyone’s thoughts. Don’t live in an echo chamber. I also feel it’s fair to point out issues as they arise otherwise one could be also accused of being inflexible. I thought there were some poor decisions by him on Saturday 🙂
Ok fair enough.👍 Just think it’s all been negative just because we have not been doing great and a bit unbalanced .as I mentioned before it’s been going the way of westhamonline recently .we could win 6-0 and 90% of them on there would find fault
I am not a fault finer LJ. By and large the regulars will probably tell you I’m too optimistic. Last Saturday was dreadful and what I said I felt I needed to say. This week I genuinely thought there were some pretty awful decisions and noticed a reaction . Had to get it off my chest. Can’t be a sycophant in those circumstances or talk of “just a bad day at the office.” I’m hopeful he will get it right and rate him but he’s had a couple of lousy games as he admits himself.