Manuel Pellegrini, in his debut season at West Ham last year, did a good job in taking the side from 13th the season before to 10th by amassing ten points more over the 38 game season (Transfermarkt).
However, his recent comments on record-signing Sebastien Haller have thrown the supporters.
Having signed Haller for £45m (BBC) over the summer, the Frenchman has bagged four goals in his first eight Premier League games for the Irons (Transfermarkt). Now, though, the Chilean manager has challenged his striker to improve (Football.London).
Manuel Pellegrini wants to see more from his club-record signing despite four goals in his first eight games for the club. https://t.co/QEY4ely8t2
— Sam Inkersole (@Sam_InkersoleTM) October 24, 2019
Having seen Pellegrini’s comments on Haller, the fans have been very quick to slam those around him. The striker has earned the highest average rating amongst the West Ham squad this season (WhoScored), and the supporters are instead countering that the players around Haller should be giving him more support.
He needs more service and support from the midfield
— Matt B (@MattB70875356) October 24, 2019
Would probably be beneficial for seb if someone swung a cross in every now and then
— Bill. (@BillyHull22) October 24, 2019
Maybe we shouldn’t leave him so isolated… although his work rate has dropped a little bit in recent weeks
— mark speller (@supersonic_mark) October 24, 2019
I’d like to see more from everyone behind him, the poor bloke is living off scraps at the minute!
— Hammer H (@bonzomoore) October 24, 2019
Try giving him some support
— Grimmer (@grimmer1895) October 24, 2019
Whilst a lot of fans have been quick to call for the striker to be given more support, some have turned this into an attack on Manuel Pellegrini, slating him for the way he sets his teams up and supposedly isolating his £45m forward.
MP had officially lost it. Surely its the service that’s missing here?
— Gez Barton (@bartong2011) October 24, 2019
Give him the service or support to help him then MP
— Mr&Mrs P (@7alexpP) October 24, 2019
Imagine playing up front as a lone striker and never receiving a decent ball in the box – Pellegrini
— tonygibson (@tonygibson) October 24, 2019
The people in the back row of the Billy Bonds stand get closer to Haller than most of our team. Maybe MP should try a tactic that doesn’t leave him utterly isolated!
— Mike Cawston (@mikecawston) October 24, 2019