The traditional press conference before each Premier League game is usually a bit of a staged ‘media show’ just to fulfil the obligation rather than to reveal anything especially important. Todays Julen Lopetegui media session actually gave West Ham fans some good news- one definite and, enticingly, one ‘possible’ fitness update.
Speaking to the club web site whufc.com, Lopetegui passed on two player injury updates:
First piece of good news : Alphonse Areola‘s back injury is summed up by: “He’s OK. He’s recovered well.“ Good news for the squad, then , as our number one goal keeper was substituted with a back injury in the last game before the international break. So, expect to see Areola returning to duty at Craven Cottage.
Second Piece of good news: Enticingly, when asked about the fitness of striker Niclas Fullkrug, who had to return early from international duty after withdrawing from Germany’s second game, Loptegui responded: “Let’s see what happens. He has a little problem, which is a pity, but we will evaluate him, as we are with everyone else.”
Well, that sounds more positive. He continued: “Yesterday (Wednesday) he was a bit better, and we just need to keep an eye on him. I think we will make a final decision on him tomorrow (Friday)”.
Whether that is just to keep Fulham’s tacticians guessing or whether it means Nic Fullkrug genuinely stands a chance of starting on Saturday – time will tell – but it is a much more optimistic outlook for The Hammers than some ‘reports’ today claiming that Fullkrug would miss two matches at least. How welcome that would be, having an hour of Fullkrug available if needed, full of confidence having scored last time out for Germany. Even if he doesn’t start he is a giant threat to have on the bench.
Whatever the team chosen, we’ll bring you team news 1 hour 15 minutes before the start of the game on Saturday afternoon plus a match report immediately after, since the game is not televised live in the UK.
Which, incidentally, is dumb, isn’t it? This arcane ‘blackout’ serves no useful purpose when PL fixtures are regularly sold out weeks in advance and it is so tiresome being able to watch the game from anywhere else in the world instead of in the UK. Time to dump this obsolete TV blackout, I reckon.
I live and work in Kosovo. On a regular Saturday I can watch the early kickoff, then I will have a choice of 4 games to watch at 3pm followed by all other games over the weekend on local tv. I pay €25 a month which covers my apartment internet and tv costs. I also get coverage of all the major leagues in Europe, it is shocking the prices you pay in UK