Graham Potter offers so much more as a head coach both on, and off the pitch – as we discovered today with his expansive display in the pre-match press conference before tomorrow’s home Premier League fixture against Fulham. Despite a narrow 1-2 defeat away at Aston Villa, the atmosphere around the club seems very positive with the change in leadership still less than a week old.
The Hammers head coach admits freely that he’s found the team receptive:”The response and approach from the players has been really good. They’re enthusiastic to try and to connect with each other. It’s been a tough period, and we want to build together as a team.”
When speaking specifically about the attacking options following Niclas Fullkrug’s hamstring injury, Potter was forthright:” Sometimes in these situations you have to be creative, and look at your players’ attributes. We’ve got options up front, in terms of Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paquetá and Danny Ings, so let’s see.”

Mohammed Kudus could start as a makeshift striker against Fulham
Which can be interpreted in many different ways but quite likely signals West Ham’s likely front man will be a ‘makeshift’ Kudus working in a central striker role. Ings was largely invisible against Aston Villa and Paquetá is more suited to a number 10 – or left sided attacking role. What’s more Kudus is the only one with the pace to trouble Fulham’s defence as a main striker. He’s been quiet this season, almost the sleeping giant (apart from the Spurs fracas!) but showed signs already after one game under Graham Potter’s stewardship that the swagger – along with the performance – might just be on the way back.
Much will depend on Summerville’s fitness situation – described in detail by Potter:“A minor one with him. He felt something after about 35 minutes, and finished the first half probably not at 100 per cent. It’s touch and go for tomorrow, so let’s see.” Summerville’s fitness could well dictate the Hammers’ formation tomorrow, so convincing was the young Hammer in the wing back role. But it won’t surprise me to see Mohammed Kudus start in the somewhat unfamiliar central striker role. Another Arnautovic? (Winger made into top – quality striker.) Don’t bet against it.
yep. been thinking this diring recent matches. if he comes a bit deeper for the ball instead of risking off-sides it gives him a chance to run at the last defender. we already know how damaging that can be. i say give it a go.
If Ings is on the pitch tonight , it doesn’t give me much optimism for us to win
We don’t half ask for trouble.
Best bet is to just manage our expectations.
Money on it that it’s Ings but I’d Roll the dice on Kudos as he ain’t lit it up this season so far
I can remember Kudus being tried at 9 before and experiment only lasted 45 minutes because he did not seem to be able to time any runs to stay onside.
A false nine dosent play that way and as potter said we have to be creative arnoutovic was never an out and out striker but a false nine getting space between the lines , I’m sure potter can get kudus to play like Arnie used to
Every time magic Mo shoots there’s a good chance that he’ll score .
Potter needs a bit of Moyes magic, he converted Arnautovic, Antonio and Bowen into successful strikers 😊
Great call. His strike rate (17 in 63) is already impressive. I can see this working.
Would rather see the lad at 9 than 10 to be fair. Good shout that