Hall Or High Water?

Irrespective of whether Michail Antonio is passed fit
following the second scan on his troublesome hamstring, David Moyes obviously has to have a plan B in order for the club to progress, and given Big Mick's hamstring history he will have anticipated when, not if, there would be a need to make changes in his starting line up.

The £45 Million conundrum Moyes has to deal with is how best to utilise Hammers record signing Sebastien Haller, Moyes had hoped he would not need to cope with the loss of Antonio so early in the season, but would obviously be mindful of what might happen. Essentially Moyes must try to use Haller and somehow put a rocket up the french man's back side, or something to motivate the player to put a shift in!

It may have been OK to strut around waiting for pinpoint passes to put away while playing in the Bundesliga, but the Barclays Premier League is a different kettle of fish, Haller himself must know what is required of him, but he just doesn't appear to show any real effort. This may be a slightly disingenuous appraisal of Haller, one cannot imagine that he doesn't want to do well, but he must try and adapt to the rigours of the Premier League.

THe problem for Moyes is that he would have to ensure proper service to ensure Haller can be used effectively, unfortunately in order to do that he might have to change formation slightly to incorporate a 'provider', probably in the form of new signing Said Benrahma, but Haller has to step up to the plate! He is a big lad and shouldn't be being knocked of the ball like a fly weight, perhaps a few rounds in the ring with Psycho or Chicken Kiev might help, him to 'man up', what ever it takes has to be done, and if he has a strop about it, then good, he is being paid to play, and not run around like a fairy!

Somewhere inside his 6'3" frame there lies a superb player, and somehow the Hammers team have to get him to fire on all cylinders, because if they can, he can suddenly become a force, but he must try harder! - Ed