The spotlight has well and truly fallen on Niclas Fullkrug after his successful introduction from the bench in yesterday’s second half. Whether he will start or continue his role of appearing from the bench remains to be seen – his will be a much tougher test next weekend away at Anfield.
What now for his Hammers’ counterpart, young on-loan striker Evan Ferguson. Substituted after a lacklustre first half against Wolves, the Brighton striker appears to have been almost written off after fluffing his lines-just once – with a failed shot from Jarrod Bowen’s cross.
Fullkrug in fact came on yesterday and gave the very performance that Ferguson was capable of himself before his inexplicable loss of form with the Seagulls and his subsequent injury.
Graham Potter’s words yesterday:”
“He’s had a season where it hasn’t been straightforward for him. But we need to remain patient, although he’s always ready to help the team. He’s a big old-fashioned centre forward but he also has some touches, some link-up play and if we get him fit and enjoying his football he can really be successful.” Apply equally to both Ferguson and Fullkrug. When asked, though, if Ferguson could learn from his striker colleague, Potter responded:
“Different type of players – one is 32, 33, was playing in a Champions league final not so long ago, the other is a young player from another Premier League club who has had some injuries and is at a stage where he just needs to keep working, keep moving forward. I think it’s unfair to compare the two.”
Ferguson – too early to write his loan off as a failure!
However, it is important to remember that Fullkrug is not a 90-minute man: So Ferguson can still be hopeful of a role in a West Ham side that has just re-discovered the value of playing around a traditional number nine: Bowen instantly appeared back to his best when reverting back to the right hand side so more starts with three up-front looks likely – although probably not next week at Anfield!
In which case Ferguson should get more opportunities to play himself back into goalscoring form between Bowen and Kudus. Class is permanent and whilst he looks low on confidence and rusty, one magic moment could suddenly resurrect his career. And then the fun would start this summer should West Ham decide to try and land the youngster permanently.