Two things need to occur for Manchester City to get their star man back on track | OneFootball

Erling Haaland has hit a dry spell in terms of his goalscoring. Manchester City’s top scorer has only scored four goals in his past seventeen matches in all competitions. Two of those have come from the penalty spot. Manchester City need Haaland to fire as they bid to maintain their chase for honors on multiple fronts. Pep Guardiola said yesterday that City need to find Haaland more often. That is a fair assessment from the Manchester City manager. On top of that, perhaps if Haaland began varying his movement, the goals may begin to flow again for him.

Pep Guardiola knows that his team needs to find Erling Haaland in a more efficient manner.

Manchester City take on West Ham tonight at the London Stadium. Erling Haaland has scored eleven goals in seven matches against the Hammers. The London Stadium is a happy hunting ground for Haaland, as he has scored six goals at the venue. Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s pivotal Premier League clash with West Ham, Pep Guardiola shared his belief that he doesn’t feel that players perform better against certain teams. However, Guardiola did admit that his team needs to find Haaland in goal-scoring positions. He explained: “I’m not a big fan of these kinds of things. In the same way with Omar [Marmoush] against Newcastle, special connection to score goals.”

“I don’t believe these kinds of things. What happened in the past is the past. I don’t know why he scored more against West Ham than other ones. Of course he needs goals and the team needs it. We have to find him more.”

Manchester City would greatly benefit from Erling Haaland varying his movement in the box.

One thing that the Manchester City players need to do is honor the runs that Erling Haaland makes. Too often Haaland does make a good run in behind City’s opponents. Often, the ball isn’t played to Haaland. Manchester City’s top scorer thrives when played in behind. Often the low defensive blocks that City contend with limit the opportunity for Haaland to get behind Manchester City’s opponents. But when teams attack City and they win the ball back, the opportunity is there to play Haaland in when he makes a run in behind. Often that chance is ignored. If Haaland’s runs are honored, that will help him get into games more often.

Also, Erling Haaland needs to vary his runs in the penalty area. Recently, Haaland has lived at the back post. Haaland would be infinitely more dangerous for his team if he began varying his runs. Manchester City’s opponents would have a hard time containing Haaland if they don’t know where he is attacking. Currently, living at the back post makes Haaland easier to defend. Perhaps if Haaland varies his runs before a cross is played from out wide, that will help him get himself back into goal-scoring form.

Manchester City need to provide Erling Haaland with the service he needs to snap out of his funk. Haaland can also do more to aid his cause on that front. Hopefully that occurs tonight against West Ham and Haaland can find the back of the net again to aid his team’s cause.