Niclas Fullkrug makes major U-turn on Graham Potter as West Ham shift becomes clear

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Niclas Fullkrug has performed a dramatic U-turn on Graham Potter and it shows there has been a massive shift at West Ham.

West Ham went into the summer pledging to sign at least one, if not two, new strikers.

However, as the transfer window has progressed with less activity than even the most pessimistic of Hammers fans predicted, it has been claimed Graham Potter does not feel he needs a new forward.

That’s despite ageing, injury-prone Niclas Fullkrug being the only senior forward left on West Ham’s books.

Most Premier League teams have at least three striker options.

And with the Hammers being tipped for relegation, going into the new season with Fullkrug as their main and only senior option would be a huge risk.

Fullkrug is West Ham’s last striker standing

Fullkrug has shown his limitations again in pre-season even after losing three kilos.

There is no doubting Fullkrug’s finishing ability, strength or hold-up play.

But he lacks the pace and mobility needed to play up front on his own in the Premier League.

West Ham’s owners are concerned by Potter’s striker stance.

As a result the board is pushing the Hammers’ head coach to agree to the signing of free agent Callum Wilson.

That move has infuriated West Ham fans given he is even older and more injury-prone than Fullkrug.

The argument from the Hammers hierarchy is expected to be that Wilson is better than nothing.

Many West Ham supporters would rather Potter gives Callum Marshall his head instead.

But that is a lot of pressure to put on the young forward’s shoulders if West Ham are going to struggle as predicted.

Potter and Hammers chief David Sullivan have just over a month to get the striker situation sorted.

It would be particularly ironic if West Ham went into Potter’s first full season with Fullkrug as their main and only striker.

The German was widely expected to be sold this summer.

Especially after a very public clash of personalities and opinions with Potter towards the end of last season.

Fullkrug makes major U-turn on Hammers boss Potter

But now Fullkrug has made a major U-turn on Potter as the huge shift at West Ham becomes clear.

West Ham fans hailed Fullkrug a hero after an angry outburst at his teammates and Potter back in April.

Fullkrug labelled his Hammers teammates ‘s—” and said only half the team was listening to Potter, suggesting the manager was weak.

Potter punished Fullkrug by dropping him for West Ham’s next game at Brighton.

Hammers fans had welcomed Fullkrug’s honest outburst, feeling they finally had someone telling it like it was after 18 months of dismal regression.

So they made their feelings clear by chanting at Potter about Fullkrug at the Amex.

When West Ham threw away a late 2-1 lead to lose 3-2, a rattled Potter aimed a dig at Fullkrug saying it was not helpful to the team and that he should have kept his feelings for the sanctity of the dressing room.

The German striker did not back down, though.

Fullkrug fired a warning to Potter he couldn’t hide from the truth and that harsh words are needed sometimes.

Potter then said he only sees Fullkrug as an impact sub for West Ham after dropping him for a win at Man United.

West Ham may not have much money to replace Fullkrug or even provide him with some proven competition.

But they seem to have something money can’t buy under Potter now.

Because Fullkrug has performed a 180 on Potter.

Speaking to Anton Ferdinand, Fullkrug has admitted Potter was right and that his furious outburst was not helpful to the team.

Huge shift at Potter’s West Ham becomes clear

Fullkrug, who recently stated he has enjoyed working under Potter in pre-season, says he was simply trying to be authentic but got it wrong.

“I think the most important thing is to be authentic,” Fullkrug said.

“I’m not doing everything well you know, for example the interview I did when I was fuming or swearing.

“Maybe it was not helpful to my teammates, you know. I told them that also and it’s important for me that everyone understands that (I apologised).

“For me it’s like you’re emotional that you couldn’t win that game in the last second of the game against Southampton.

“Sometimes I want to be authentic but it’s also possible that sometimes it’s not the right thing. Sometimes you have to be in the middle. I have to learn as well.”

Fullkrug’s complete change in attitude towards the manager over that episode shows Potter has managed to turn the team spirit around.

David Moyes made a strong team spirit a fundamental factor during his West Ham tenure.

Potter has stated he feels that has improved immeasurably already in pre-season.

And Fullkrug’s U-turn proves the manager even has the senior pros buying into his push for togetherness.

While that does not mean West Ham don’t need another striker, it certainly won’t hurt for what promises to be a long season ahead.