All credit to the man in the suit on the sidelines. Graham Potter cut a more dashing figure than normal, eschewing the tracksuit presumably to show his own team that he meant business yesterday. And after the changes he made to the side at, and after half time, Potter deserves the plaudits.
Ollie Scarles had been ‘ok’ but Emerson replaced him at half time and provided another layer of solidity and a little more threat. The addition of Fullkrug and to a lesser extent Soler again deserved credit even though we all knew it would happen: Fullkrug after a long layoff is not a starter- for his national side he hasn’t been for five years – but always the ‘super sub’.
Potter looked the business
Hopefully Potter will analyse that game and realise that Ferguson and Fullkrug need to play, both to create goal threat and to stop opponents being able to attack with impunity from the start. It also allows Bowen to play in his best right hand wing role.
Adding Guilherme for the last ten minutes, after his Wolves’ half time hooking, showed real leadership from Potter. It would have been very easy to overlook the young Brazilian in the heat of that frantic last few minutes but Potter brought him on, and Guilherme showed real flair with a couple of runs and deft touches and a shot into the side netting.
Not at any stage in that last fifteen minutes did West Ham sit back and ‘settle’ for a point, even though Potter’s relief at the final whistle was visible.
It must have been very tempting to throw on every defensive midfielder and try and hang on to a point but instead, he kept the Hammers going forward in search of a win.
It isn’t perfect, there are still big issues but West Ham had a go, got shots on target and could have won it. And glory be, it was even entertaining.
Ok after watching it several times why was either free kick given from which both Bournemouth scored both goals. You could argue the decision is wrong but you still have to defend correctly. This is true but still gave Bournemouth a huge advantage at that point in the game. These with the Everton penalty and other dubious decision’s this weekend makes me think the refs are getting worse not better. Time someone got the sack!
Is it good or bad that Potter only has a few games to access his players?
The ‘peaks and troughs’ need to be looked at carefully.
Enough problems on outfield without adding a new goalkeeper (even if it would be nice).
Every game throws up a different message, whose staying and whose going.
Fullkrug was going home, Guilherme was being sold to highest bidder (don’t think he would stay in England, Wolves?)
Could Saturdays match change these prospects?
Much better performance in the second half, but Potter mustn’t start without a striker again. Fullkrug was fantastic yesterday, he must start for the rest of the season.
It’s was good news because Im sure a German club or Milan will see that and buy Fulkrugg from us before next season. He is simply not fit enough to survive the rigours of an English Premier League
The morning after it’s still Fullkrug must play every minute that he’s capable of. Liverpool away next is almost certainly futile, but Southampton at home in the next game…
What a difference a Fullkrug makes! After being livid with this signing for most of the season… and still questioning the wisdom behind the c30 mill transfer fee if I am honest… the man does have real quality. It is also clear how much it releases Bowen to be the outstanding player he is!
What a thoroughly enjoyable game! Marred only by an unbelievably incompetent and fussy referee.
Like most transfers the details appear as clear as mud, but it looks to be 27 million Euros is just short of 23 million pounds, plus 5 million Euros of add ons but I doubt any of that will become due this season he’s been out injured so much.
Where Potter doesn’t deserve credit is that starting line-up with no striker!!!
He seems to have the same trait as Loppy, balsing up the starting line up then making lots of changes in desperation and panic!!
I agree Dan.We seem to be chasing games come the second half in most games..
True. After Wolves I added Fullkrug back into my Fantasy team. Result. Guilherme clearly has talent, with a cooler head he could have had an assist.