Green Street Hammers
Fansided

Sebastien Haller will only make West Ham better vs. Newcastle

By Adam Smith

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 29: Sebastien Haller of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his sides second gaol during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton FC at London Stadium on February 29, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 29: Sebastien Haller of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his sides second gaol during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton FC at London Stadium on February 29, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

West Ham have a good problem on their hands. The team is coming off a win and Sebastien Haller is back fit, regardless of football faux pas’ the big man needs to start on Sunday.

Never change a winning team is often referred to as one of football’s golden rules. Well, when you’re West Ham and your £45m striker is fit, you have to break the rules as Sebastien Haller can only make the Hammers better and more potent up top.

Based on Newcastle’s recent matches, in which they’ve looked threatening, potent, and keen on scoring goals, the Magpies have been under 50% possession in more than half of these matches. The quick turning, counter-attacking team uses their pace to create opportunities from turnovers, springing results from low possession numbers.

Haller can help the Hammers weather that storm, specifically with his link-up play, ball retention, and finishing abilities. Alongside Haller, in either a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 should be Antonio as the other striker or left-winger, bursting through the channels and providing Haller a target for his aerial duels.

The sacrificial lamb should be Manuel Lanzini, who despite having his best game in some time for the Hammers, is still the weakest link in the starting XI. Off the bench, Lanzini is an option at either wing and centrally to replace Fornals late in the game; his versatility should be leaned on as a sub here.

Soucek was dominant in the air against Chelsea, but with Haller also fighting for Fabianski’s distribution and Bowen’s corner kicks, this West Ham team can only perform better with stronger, bigger targets on the pitch.

Next. David Moyes Actually Used Visible Tactics Against Chelsea. dark

Haller was looking on-form heading into the restart, nabbing goals in the QPR and Crystal Palace friendlies before pulling up with a groin injury, sidelining him for three matches so far. If he’s fit, he should be starting. And if he’s starting, Newcastle are going to have to stay sharp to keep him quiet.