West Ham fans were not the only ones disappointed by Julen Lopetegui’s team selection for the season opener against Villa it seems.
After making eight signings and finally replacing Gianluca Scamacca with a bonafide striker, there was a buzz in the air at West Ham ahead of the team news being announced for the first game of the new Premier League season.
But it was a case of new boss, new players but the same old guard for the Hammers when it dropped.
Supporters were downcast and a little bemused when Julen Lopetegui named only two of his new additions in the West Ham starting XI against Villa.
That meant £23.5m Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug was among those named on the Hammers bench.
It has been clear to see for some time now that West Ham need to upgrade ageing Michail Antonio.
Goodness knows they have tried.
Sebastien Haller, Scamacca and Danny Ings provide £95m worth of evidence on that score.
Lopetegui starts season with Hammers old guard
Antonio has been a brilliant servant for West Ham.
But he turns 35 this season and time is ticking down on his days as a Premier League footballer, let alone starter.
Antonio is not having that, though. He recently declared he does not like or want to be a back-up striker at West Ham.
When the Hammers signed experienced goalscorer Fullkrug, though. That seemed inevitable.
Ahead of the Villa clash there was talk Antonio could start because Lopetegui is a big fan.
He duly did and put in a poor performance as West Ham lost 2-1.
Fullkrug had to make do with coming off the bench where he tried to get involved in a game that had become, by that stage, rather frenetic. Not easy on on your Premier League bow.
The German is known as a no-nonsense character, on and off the pitch.
Fullkrug: ‘I’m not at West Ham to play second fiddle to Antonio’
And the Hammers are already seeing why.
Because Fullkrug has made it clear he’s not at West Ham to play second fiddle to Antonio after his cameo debut.
Reflecting on only getting 17 minutes on his Hammers debut, Fullkrug said he understands why he didn’t start this game.
But he has left Lopetegui in no doubt that he fully expects to be the starting striker from here on out.
“I’ve only been in training for a week and a half,” Fullkrug said, as reported by Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.
“Before that was the Euros, then a break, and after that, I was first at Borussia Dortmund, and then there was the back and forth with the transfer. So, it’s okay for today.
“But of course, ultimately, it’s going to come down to the fact that I want to play, and that’s clear.
“That’s my ambition, that’s the reason why I’m here, why I’ve set the Premier League as my goal.”
Antonio has given Lopetegui an easy decision to make
This situation should not cause Lopetegui too much of a headache, though.
Antonio did little to stake his claim to stay in the side after being handed the shirt.
His touch, hold-up play and decision making were poor.
It was in stark contrast to Jhon Duran up the other end for Villa when he came on.
The Colombian, who continues to be linked with the Hammers, inevitably got the winner and impressed by causing West Ham’s defence more problems than Ollie Watkins.
He was everything Antonio was not.
And regardless of whether Fullkrug is going to be West Ham’s new starting striker, the Hammers must seriously explore signing Duran or another young, pacy forward before the window closes as an upgrade on Antonio if they want to really challenge this season.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
