It must have been a hugely difficult eight months as a West Ham player: Under a very bright spotlight since becoming Tim Steidten’s very public signing, injured twice, out for months and losing his place in his international side. Plus of course being the subject of considerable conjecture about the transfer fee West Ham paid for him, his age and his injury record, without being able to reply in the best way with some decent performances on the pitch.
All in all, not quite how Niclas Fullkrug would have envisioned his first season in London.
Suggestions were rife at the end of last year that Fullkrug hadn’t settled in London and couldn’t wait to get away – indeed he was reported as telling his agent to get him away from West Ham and he was linked with a move to Juventus in the January window. However, far from seeming a player on borrowed time at the London stadium, Fullkrug yesterday appeared very much at home.
As he told whufc.com: “It’s not about me, but I’m very happy to have scored in front of our home crowd..I was waiting for that moment for eight months, to score here in the stadium. It hasn’t been the best season for me – I’ve been injured and out for a long time – so today I was really happy to feel the love from the crowd.”
The relief of scoring his first home goal was tangible. He took to social media after the game and made it crystal clear how he was feeling:
Happy to have scored my first goal at home!⚒️⚽️
That’s the energy we need, let’s build on that #COYI
Which bodes well for his West Ham future, I’d say: Hardly the words of a man set on a summer exit.
Much like Jean-Clair Todibo before him, his instagram comments go a long way to dispelling reports of wanting to leave, not settling or being unhappy. Quite possibly the combination of the change of head coach in January and Fullkrug’s return to match fitness has done the trick – from the impact yesterday there are clearly goals to come from Fullkrug if he stays fit.
From his own social media post, it would be fair to say that ‘reports of his desire to leave seem greatly exaggerated!’
Having players who are versatile is a great asset for any team but that versatility should only be used to cover injuries.
Playing them in their preferred positions gives much more connectivity.
Pushing them around different areas, normally, just doesn’t work.
What vibes Fullkrug is showing is difficult to interpret, will he stay or go
May not be anything to do with football, remember that man Dawson who wanted to be nearer his family?
Fullkrug,German international,scores goals at top level, wanted by top clubs. That should tell you something.
Night and day yesterday. He turned the game and literally everyone around were initially bemused either he or Ferguson didn’t start and called the substitution at half time….. equally bemused it was Emerson coming on. Bournemouth were fragile yesterday and we didn’t capitalise from minute 1 due to selections
Sorry of course he will say that…he’s made it quite clear that he dosnt want to stay..and if he did , he would of said something along them lines in his statement yesterday or gave us a hint…..he could definitely Be our awnser as our forward for the next couple years as he is decent especially if he stays fit ..BUT he said straight away that he’s unsettled and homesick after a couple months..same as Fergeuson we are just getting them fit and ready for the next club ..this season is over ..so loaning Fergeuson was pointless especially as he wasn’t fit to play straight away ..and with no obligation to buy and now we are out every cup ..again what was the point…give Brighton money..get a player fit who has potential then he goes back to Brighton all ready to go for them and starts scoring 🙄….Are you not seeing how weird thus is mart . Say fulkirg stays fit for the rest of the season and score goals and does great…I bet you some club in Germany or Spain will put an offer in and he will push for the move straight away …….
Who has made it quite clear? It definitely wasn’t the player! As far as I’m concerned it’s C&H that made it quite clear thru their scanning of other websites and listening to sites like football insider or foorballtoday etc etc, who no one with any kind of interest in accuracy really listens to. The whole of the Internet is where they get their rumours, so if some idiot starts that rumour on twitter, a week later it will end up here. not the player 🤷
Fullkrug is an excellent striker. Way more mobile than he’s given credit for as well . Timed at 33 mph earlier in the season . I think him and Bowen could run amok up top providing they avoid injuries next season.
Lmfao! 🤷 What an absolutely ridiculous article to write. Especially considering it’s C&H that have been spreading those kind of rumours and gossip on a massive scale,L. Their only justification for doing it being the clickbait income it generates, and unsubstantiated tripe read on other remote dodgy websites so u have an excuse to write it. Call yourself West Ham supporters, I don’t! Proper supporters wouldn’t earn money off the club, or damage the club by helping spread divisive rumours. It’s almost like Simon Leyland is back writing rubbish again!
I’ve been saying for ages that Fullkrug hasn’t had a fair analysis this season. Most of the time when he was fit was under Lopetegui, so no wonder why we didn’t see what he’s made of under such a defensive minded head coach.
It’s only now he’s allowed to play as an actual striker, he really needs to start now, he changed the whole game yesterday, they just need to get the ball moving quicker, and Bowen and Kudus need to support him!
I’m with you, Allan. Looking forward to seeing our proper team playing on the front foot. Exciting times ahead. COYI