Doubts are already being raised about West Ham’s signing of Niclas Fullkrug and whether he has what it takes to cut it in the Premier League.
It’s easy to understand why.
Hammers supporters are scarred by a litany of failed striker moves down the years.
And West Ham don’t even have to reach too far into the past for evidence.
Be it £15m flop Danny Ings, the £80m spent on Gianluca Scamacca and Sebastien Haller before him – there’s plenty of it.
The addition of Niclas Fullkrug took the number of strikers West Ham have signed since 2010 to a staggering 52.
Not all have been flops or disasters. But not many have been roaring successes either.
The fact West Ham are still relying on Michail Antonio, who turns 35 this season, tells you everything you need to know on that score.
The Irons were chasing Jhon Duran for much of the summer before switching focus to Fullkrug at Dortmund.
West Ham fans think David Moyes was on to something
While most fans welcomed the arrival of an experienced goalscorer, the fact Fullkrug is 11 years Duran’s senior and lacks speed was raised as a major concern.
Especially given that pace is a non-negotiable in the Premier League nowadays.
Hammers technical director Tim Steidten actually spoke out to explain why West Ham had signed Fullkrug as fans voiced disappointment about Duran.
Steidten said Fullkrug gives West Ham a striker who can hit the ground running.
Fullkrug did not enjoy the most auspicious of full debuts in the cup win over Bournemouth.
And an alarming video of Fullkrug confirmed West Ham fears as supporters called for the club to push to sign a younger, pacy striker before the deadline.
Spanish midfielder Carlos Soler arrived but another forward did not.
So Julen Lopetegui now has Antonio, Fullkrug and Ings as his striker options – until January at least.
A combined age of just under a century.
And that key commodity pace seriously lacking among two of them.
Fullkrug has already responded to those doubting him, saying he needs time to adjust.
But fans think David Moyes was on to something and it’s bad news for new West Ham star Fullkrug.
Bowen plan bad for news for new West Ham star Fullkrug
With nine new signings, supporters have been debating what Lopetegui’s starting XI should be.
It has been a mixed start to the Spaniard’s era with two defeats and a win in the opening three Premier League games and a narrow, fortunate victory over Bournemouth in the League Cup.
There have definitely been glimpses of promise and progress in West Ham’s possession and passing, though.
Putting the ball away has already been an issue as the team knits together. Many cannot understand why Lopetegui continues to start Antonio over Fullkrug.
But when the big German came on against Man City it actually allowed the champions to push right up the pitch due to his lack of pace.
Social media has been awash with supporters putting together the team they want to see starting games after the international break.
And many clearly think the answer to the striker issue is by revisiting Moyes’ big plan.
That being Jarrod Bowen up front.
Not only does it solve the issue of pace up front, it also means Kudus can be played on the right and cut in on his deadly left foot.
That then brings pacy, skilful new £26m signing Crysencio Summerville into the side on the left.
Too early for Hammers to write off big German
But it’s very bad news for Fullkrug of course.
The former Dortmund man has been called up for Germany for the Nations League matches.
That won’t last much longer, though, if he is sat on the bench at West Ham.
The 31-year-old was disappointed not to start the season opening defeat to Aston Villa.
And Fullkrug has already made it clear he hasn’t come to east London to sit on the bench.
It’s far too soon to be writing him off.
But some West Ham fans already think they’ve seen enough to suggest it might not work out. Again.
So Bowen as striker may be Lopetegui’s solution as he looks to finish the experiment Moyes started.
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