Seemingly we have been sleepwalking into a no-striker era at West Ham United. After Michail Antonio’s car accident ruled him out of ever playing again, West Ham limped on – literally – with just Danny Ings as a front man. threatening as a well coiffured pussycat.
Graham Potter arrived mid – transfer window and the Hammers signed – amides huge sigs of relief and fanfares- Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton.
And he hardly ever played. Potter ignored him and the two up front became the norm. Even in recent weeks, Potter has played Lucas Paquetá as a false nine instead of one of the strikers on the bench. Callum Marshall despite having a really good pre-season, didn’t even make the bench.
Potter, by his own admission, made it clear Niclas Fullkrug was fit enough for the subs’ bench but chose to play without a striker until the Hammers were three nil down and with just ten men. As he told whufc.com:
“There are no absentees,” Potter confirmed, speaking in his pre-match press conference. “We’ve got Niclas Füllkrug, who’s had a slight issue with his calf from international duty, so he came [home] early. He’s trained lightly today, but we’ll see how he reacts, but apart from that, everybody’s okay.”
Crystal Palace is clearly a must – win for Graham Potter’s career and for West Ham’s morale. Therefore to start without a striker is unthinkable from the under pressure hammers Manager: Either stubborn, inept or asking to be fired.
Wilson, Fullkrug – one of them must start, the other can play the second half. Either way, West Ham need a win and they won’t get it with a goal from the half way line.
I’ll put my neck on the block…
Drop Hermandsen for Fabianski, what’s the point of a keeper who can play the ball on the ground if he can’t deal with corners.
Drop Kilman for Igor Julio, Julio is reported as training well Kilman is a liability at the moment.
Drop JWP for Magassa, I do not understand what JWP is doing that merits a starting slot while Magassa looks a lot higher energy.
And put preferably Fulkrug and if not Wilson in in place of Soucek as we need hold up play desperately.
Seems like madness but I’ve been saying for a while that Potters decisions are so baffling that I’m convinced he is trying to get himself sacked.
I suspect he’s walked into the club and thought to himself this is a nut house and possibly some broken promises.
I suspect he’s aiming for compensation. Spurs pulled the trigger on Nuno after less than a dozen games in charge as he looked devoid of ideas and a broken man which is where Potter is right now. Difference is our ownership lack decisive action and will be the last to realise he was never the right man for the job.
We desperately need to get past this notion that our managers need to have Prem experience to succeed.
Great result for the under 21’s last night and Marshall scored a couple
As a life long supporter I’m praying we lose to Palace so hopefully the board will have their minds. forced to sack Potter.
We cannot prolong the inevitable anymore