The headlines are flowing with the news of the West Ham Gaffer saying he needs more from Sebastien Haller. But when it comes down to it, will it all be on him this weekend against Sheffield United?
Manuel Pellegrini has finally come out and stated what so many surrounding West Ham have been saying for weeks, “I think that he is not doing bad but I think he can do better also.” Ever since the Everton match last week, the Chilean has been pushing his club on and off the training pitch.
It is clear that the Gaffer has higher ambitions for the club, but also its newest record signing. Haller, a £45m signing from Frankfurt has 4 goals in 8 appearances so far for the Hammers. Something even more impressive than that is his hold up play. However, he can’t do it alone.
During this week’s pre-match presser, Pellegrini began stating the above quote but then followed up with “he has started better maybe than we expected, now he must make more movements in the box for the way we play because we need to score more goals.”
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If there is one thing that is off about Haller’s performances so far, is that he looks much better holding up the ball in the midfield area then he has up top where is supposed to be. Although it is nice to see that he is committed to helping everywhere, Pellegrini does have a point.
However, going back to the title of this piece, is it all on him? The answer, no! Actually it’s an emphatic no! The Frenchman has done so much and has transitioned so quickly into the EPL that it’s almost scary. Now, West Ham just needs the rest of the attackers to catch up.
One thing that could help more that has been pretty nonexistent this season, are better crosses. Last season the Hammers were able to get in better crosses and so far this season they have not. Granted at times, I.E. Felipe Anderson and Arthur Masuaku working out a beauty against Watford that sent a low cross to Haller, but that art has seemingly gone missing in East London.
It also seems that at times he will get the ball and hold up the play nicely but it takes too long for the rest of the squad to link up. In order to use the Hammers record signing to his fullest potential, which is what Pellers wants, everyone else will need to step up and get him the ball in the right areas.
This weekends match against Sheffield United will be a huge chance for them to do just that. The match is at home, fan bases will be loud and rowdy, and the Hammers need a big performance to turn this run of bad form around. This Blades squad has been on a good run lately and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
How the Hammers can get over that and quickly, is to get out in front by using their attacking players all working together. Because after all, no one player can do it alone, he needs 10 other men to help reach the common goal.