Haaland is an issue at the moment. Both him himself, and the other players and our all-round tactics when it comes to him.
When Divin Mubana played against Salford, I thought his movement and willingness to make runs was very refreshing to watch compared to Haaland just standing still up front all the time. When Haaland was out injured recently, I thought our style and tactics were better suited to the whole rest of the team compared to when Haaland is there and we were much better to watch. His lack of movement, reluctance to make near post runs when that’s the clear run+ball that’s on, and reluctance to challenge for headers at goal when they’re not quite in his favour are getting on my nerves. Plus, like most people, I was massively disappointed with him in the FA Cup final.
Far too often this sort of thing happens, at 1min 8secs and 1min 22secs in this video, where he just doesn’t make a run. We all know Doku lacks quality with crosses and pull backs close to the byline so make it easier for him and make earlier runs when he’s got more time and space to execute the pass:
I think he’s become too nice and too soft on the pitch. Often smiling, joking and patting his markers on the back like he wants to be their mate. Where’s his mean streak gone? He also plays like he has no perception of how big he is. Where’s his physicality gone? When he first came he didn’t play like this.
Everyone else is a problem when it comes to him as well. How many times a game do Gündoğan or BSilva or anyone else not release the pass to him when he wants it played into the channel? Our wingers never make runs beyond him (imagine prime Sterling playing with Haaland!) and our attacking midfielders aren’t in and around him when he has his back to goal enough, making it harder for him to lay it off to anyone.
I also just don’t get the salary we’ve put him on at all. David Silva and Agüero were never on wages like this, even comparable to the wages in football a decade ago. De Bruyne took years to be on £400k/wk and that’s still only 76% of what Haaland is now on.
Needless to say, I’m a bit concerned with where we’re going with Haaland.
www.bbc.com
