Haller should keep hammering himself
WEST HAM’S record signing Sebastien Haller was unhappy with his “terrible game” in last Saturday’s 3-1 win at Watford – even though he scored two goals.
And that was music to the ears of Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini.
“It’s good to have self-criticism about a performance,” said Pellegrini. “For a striker, I have always said if you score one goal you have had a good game.
“Because if you score 38 goals in a season you will be top-scorer in the Premier League – normally a top striker finishes with 25.
“But everyone knows when they have played well or played badly. It depends on the amount of challenges you lose, the amount of chances you don’t score.
“So it’s good for him not to think that just scoring is enough. He tries to score and he tries to play well, and that is good for him.”
French striker Haller, 25, cost £45million after scoring 20 goals in 41 appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt last season.
Pellegrini was delighted to see him get off the mark in English football against the Hornets after missing the previous week’s 1-1 draw at Brighton.
Pellegrini said: “Scoring two goals in a game after he couldn’t play for an injury will give him confidence and help him a lot to improve.”
West Ham come up against another striker who has adapted well to the Premier League at the London Stadium tomorrow, when they take on Norwich and their scoring sensation Teemu Pukki.
“Some players feel the difference between the Championship and the Premier League, but he’s demonstrating that the Premier League has no fear for him,” said Pellegrini.
“He’s working exactly the same, with good movement, and he’s scored five goals in three games, so we have to be very careful about him.”