With the season pretty much done and dusted, Graham Potter will be hoping to build on the teams’ solid if less than exciting defensive performances as bottom club Southampton come visiting this weekend. It would be unthinkable for the Hammers to set up in Potter’s’ plan’ A’ – ultra defensive 3-5-2 style with just Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen as forwards.
This has been the Manager’s set up of choice away at Anfield – although it didn’t stop Liverpool scoring. At home, with nothing to lose, in what is essentially a ‘free hit’ for Potter, the chance to start winning over his critics would normally give him a chance to show his more attacking option.
The trouble is West Ham’s main striker Niclas Fullkrug is unable to make it through a game.
As Gonzo’s earlier article in Claret and Hugh, the Medics are worried about Fullkrug’s ability even to get through a half. Which means surely a reprieve and another opportunity for on-loan Evan Ferguson to start the game on Saturday.
Ferguson has had little impact for West Ham but there is still time
The young Irish striker has so far been restricted to brief cameo appearances totalling about 90 minutes since his arrival at the start of February but against bottom side Southampton, Potter must show more enterprise and West Ham carry more goal threat. Ferguson himself will be desperate for game time and to have an opportunity to prove either to West Ham or any number of summer suitors that he is worth his £40 million price tag.
Both for entertainment value and for next year’s season ticket sales, Potter has to demonstrate that he has the capacity to entertain in both the style of football and the ambition- whether Ferguson succeeds or fails is irrelevant – providing the Hammers’ fans with at east the intention to try and play attacking football is a must if Potter’s words are to be matched by his actions.
Why has the article about Fullkrugs rant been taken down….hes the only one with the balls to tell the truth..only saying what the supporters are saying. The man’s a legend….
Southampton will be playing for pride & trying to get some points so they don’t go down with the lowest ever premier league points total. We’ve forgotten how to score. I don’t expect to be impressed but hope I’m wrong. Sadly, a draw would not surprise me.
If he plays the attacking formation we all want and it doesnt work, will it be his fault, the players underperforming on the day or simply confirmation that the squad deficiencies ( mostly centre mid and centre foward ) are so debilitating that he had little choice in previous games and essentially did the right thing setting us up mostly not to concede?
YES If it was Moyes fault or Lopetegui’s fault then it has to be Potter’s fault His belief in himself is very over-rated The proof is in the pudding so they say
My team for Southampton game:
Areola
Wan Bissaka | Todibo | Kilman | Scarles
Soler | Paqueta
Bowen | Kudus | Guillerme
Ferguson
Swap on Fullkrug at half time or last 30 (depending on how much he can handle)
Have Paqueta and Soler as deep lying playmakers, Paqueta can also tackle and wrestle a bit in the middle of the park.
The 3 behind attacker should play fluent, roaming and swapping positions to confuse Soton defence (they are also all preferred right wingers).
Thoughts?
Fullkrug is streets ahead of Ferguson. As much Fullkrug as is possible with Ferguson doing the rest.
Ferguson’s injury record is worse than Fullkrug. Was a waste of a loan fee and like you said is nowhere near as good as Fullkrug. Signing Evan is almost as bad as Kalvin Phillips
Sullivan ruined this season and pretty sure it will be the same next season. It doesn’t matter who the manager is
I agree with this. If he can’t start Ferguson at home to Southampton then there really was no point with the loan. Play Bowen, Kudus, Paqueta behind, Soucek and Ward Prowse deeper and bring Fullkrug on later. If we can’t score a few with that set up then we should be worried.