West Ham striker Callum Marshall is set to feature for Northern Ireland when they face Germany in tonightâs World Cup qualifier.
Ironically, the striker most West Ham fans would have been watching closelyâGermanyâs Niclas FĂźllkrugâwill play no part due to injury.
Fullkrug has spent more time injured for West Ham than available
Like many others, I was concerned when West Ham chose not to sign or loan another forward during the transfer window. What seemed like a reckless decision has come back to bite the club almost immediately.
While the failure to recruit cover for FĂźllkrug and Callum Wilson now looks foolish, keeping hold of Marshall was spot on. I must admit, I was beginning to wonder where the youngsterâs game-time would come from given Graham Potterâs apparent reluctance to use him. But FĂźllkrugâs injury always felt inevitableâheâs spent more time on the treatment table than on the pitch since joining.
Marshall could line-up alongside Paqueta again for West Ham
Potter may still switch Bowen
I still fear Jarrod Bowen will be forced into a central striker role, which would hurt the team as a whole. Potter has stumbled across a system he never once used in pre-season, and Bowen looked far more effective within it as a winger.
Either way, Marshall has suddenly become a vital part of West Hamâs squad. Given the patchy injury records of both FĂźllkrug and Wilson, he could soon find himself as the clubâs only fully fit striker.
I like Bowen up front personally. Scored three goals in his three appearances upfront in 24/25 season.
Yes, the only fully fit striker âŚ.. but still not getting a game ! I really hope this does not happen
Should give him some game time he runs his socks off, with Callum Wilson as a mentor he looks raw but he isnât going to get better sitting on a bench. If we came out of this season mid table but showing improvement and with academy players getting regular minutes would take that.
It was madness not to get a striker in and an imposing CB but then thatâs typical Sully. The only upside is we didnât buy two injury prone Sully punts only one in Wilson.
Paqueta is our most obvious number 9 replacement. His all-round play in that position has been better than both our centre forwards when playing there this season.