West Ham United boss David Moyes faces the sternest test of his squad this weekend and not just because the Hammers face champions Liverpool.
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Even without the monolithic Virgil van Dijk, West Ham will still have to produce a complete performance against Liverpool to stand a chance of getting anything at Anfield.
But when you throw into the mix the likely unavailability of West Ham’s star man Michail Antonio, things start to look tricky.
Unconfirmed reports emerging from West Ham claim the outlook is not good for Antonio.
West Ham may have to make do without Antonio at Liverpool
West Ham are awaiting the results of a scan on his hamstring after he suffered discomfort in the last two games against Man City and Spurs.
The striker is the man who makes West Ham tick. Without him, Moyes’s side just are not the same force.
He is crucial to the effectiveness of West Ham’s play – and new formation.
With only Sebastien Haller as back-up, West Ham’s hopes of building on a hugely positive start to the season could rest on knowing when to take Antonio out of the firing line.
The trouble for Moyes is that Haller is so different to Antonio, both in terms of style and workrate, that it is far from like-for-like.
Haller divides opinion among West Ham fans. Some feel he simply does not work hard enough. Others feel he does not get the service.
The truth is probably somewhere in between.
Haller must heed Hoddle’s stern advice
If Moyes does rest Antonio at Anfield, he must start finding a way to get the best out of Haller.
And that may mean tinkering or tweaking West Ham’s wing-back formation to afford the Frenchman more support.
Haller has actually impressed in the same formation, scoring four goals in two Carabao Cup games this season.
But that was against League One opposition.
Going into the game at Liverpool, Haller is expected to start.
And he could do a lot worse than take on board comments from Glenn Hoddle.
The former England boss was on co-comms for BT Sport watching West Ham’s 1-1 draw with City last time out.
And he was far from impressed with Haller’s substitute appearance when he replaced Antonio.
Regardless of service or support, Hoddle said Haller must do more.
‘He’s got to do more’
“You can see right away West Ham miss Antonio up there,” Hoddle said on BT Sport.
“Haller has got to do more, he really does.
“He’s got to hurt himself for the team a bit.”
Hoddle is spot on.
Whatever your opinion of the way Haller has been handled since signing for West Ham, Hoddle has hit the nail on the head.
Too often the £45million striker looks lethargic and reactive to the play.
He must learn to use his powerful frame to his advantage more if he wants to be a success in England.
And as for doing the hard yards. If Harry Kane is selfless enough to run channels, close full-backs, drop deep and do the ugly side of the game then why is it too much to expect Haller to do the same when needed?
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