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.
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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.