West Ham fans have taken to social media in huge numbers after Niclas Fullkrug launched a furious rant about his teammates.
As West Ham were booed off following the pitiful 1-1 draw with Southampton, one player could not hold his tongue any longer.
Niclas Fullkrug took the words out of many West Ham fans’ mouths as he went off at his teammates in a post-match interview.
Graham Potter’s feeble Hammers side were fortunate not to be losing to already relegated Southampton.
The Saints are officially the joint-worst team in Premier League history yet managed 15 shots at goal.
And despite West Ham taking a 1-0 lead through Jarrod Bowen, Southampton equalised at the death – something Potter conceded the visitors more than deserved.
Fullkrug launches astonishing rant at West Ham teammates
It means the Irons have now won just three of Potter’s 14 games since he replaced Julen Lopetegui.
Doubts are already creeping in about the manager and focus has now fully turned on the players too.
Especially after Fullkrug blasted the mentality of his teammates, called West Ham’s performance “s—” and suggested there is a divide in the dressing room.
“It’s a mindset problem,” Fullkrug said on Sky Sports.
“Very angry today. Not disappointed, just angry about what we did after the goal.
“It was difficult to bring the boys back to push up. We didn’t push up anymore. We tried but we didn’t have the ability or motivation to push up again. I’m very, very angry that we played like this…
“The motivation to want it more, sorry it was s— and I’m very angry. It’s not the first time that we scored a goal, and the next goal-kick we just shoot the ball long, we don’t try to play football anymore, we don’t push up anymore. We just sink.
“That’s not the way we want to play. Why can we play 65 minutes before with possession, but then score and after that half of the team try to score again, and the other half of the team just try to defend very deep?
“That’s not the way it works. We have to find a way to have togetherness, to have the idea of where we want to go and what we want to do.
“The coach is very clear about what he wants, but we have to do it all. Everyone has to do it.”
Fullkrug has been one of very few Hammers players to emerge with any credit as a dreadful season draws to a close.
That’s despite spending two thirds of his debut season out injured.
His attitude and performances have been a rare highlight of late and have changed opinion among some supporters who felt he should be sold this summer.
Jettisoned technical director Tim Steidten revealed one of the big reasons he brought Fullkrug to the club was his leadership qualities.
West Ham fans demand action after Fullkrug outburst
Now West Ham fans are flooding social media demanding action after Fullkrug’s furious outburst.
As Fullkrug’s explosive rant goes viral on social media, Hammers supporters seem to be all of one mind about it.
Thousands have been lauding Fullkrug on social media.
Not only do West Ham fans absolutely love the German’s brutal honesty, saying it is much-needed and long overdue, many are even calling for him to replace Bowen as captain.
Supporters are all saying that Fullkrug is now the only Hammer who has stood up and spoken the truth all season.
In fact some are saying the interview is the highlight of West Ham’s entire dismal campaign.
Hammers fans have made it clear they love Bowen, but many feel someone like Fullkrug is more suited to the role.
‘Love Bowen but make Fullkrug captain’
One West Ham fan said: “Bowen may be our best player, but captain? I’m not totally sure he’s a leader. Your best player shouldn’t automatically make you captain. Fullkrugs interview was a prime example of what a captain should be saying. People say it doesn’t matter who’s captain are completely wrong!”
Another Hammer believes Bowen has proved he is “too nice” to be captain, saying: “Love Bowen. Always been concerned with him being club captain though. He’s too nice for the job.”
One West Ham fan agreed but questioned whether the armband can now be taken off him and given to Fullkrug.
“Bowen was given the captaincy cos he was the fans favourite. That doesn’t make him a good captain, as said on here, he’s too much of a nice guy, there’s no leadership in the team. Trouble is, how can you take it away from him now,” he said.
A Hammers supporter echoed the Bowen captaincy sentiments, saying: “Totally agree, I love Bowen and he’s very much idolised but all our fans but he was never captain material for me. I can’t see him pulling strips off people in a changing room after an awful performance.”
West Ham fan Aran Nicol said: “Keep Fullkrug and make him captain. I said it. I mean it.”
A fellow Hammer agreed, adding: “Got to keep Fullkrug. Keep him fit and we’ve got a really good player in him! Some sort of shining light in what has obviously been a crap season.”
Other fans warned West Ham’s players if they have an issue with Fullkrug’s comments then they have an issue with them too.
“I for one stand with Niclas Fullkrug. Make him captain,” one said.
Sentiments echoed by another West Ham supporter after watching Fullkrug’s rant.
“I think we all share the anger Fullkrug felt after the match today. A true professional who’s committed to the cause. Captain material.”
Hammers fans unanimously back Fullkrug comments
Hammers account West Ham News, said Fullkrug should replace Bowen as skipper.
“Sorry but Bowen doesn’t deserve to be captain and I’ve said that it’s obvious he doesn’t motivate the team enough and isn’t a good leader. Fullkrug has that mentality of a leader someone who will set the record straight because it needs to be set, he has to be the captain.”
Another West Ham fan said it was pleasing to see someone finally had the gumption to speak up about the awful standards at the club.
“Yep, I completely agree with him. The players should be angry. Fair play from Fullkrug, it’s not good enough. Glad he had the balls to say it.”
Hammers fan Fraser Curruthers declared ‘hero’ Fullkrug is his new favourite player.
Another supporter said Fullkrug is showing the mentality needed.
“Fullkrug’s mentality is what we need in this squad, I loved that interview from him said it how it is too many players in that squad are weak minded.”
West Ham fan Stephen Smith stated that Fullkrug has highlighted Bowen’s failings as captain.
“Basically Fullkrug saying the stuff that our so called ‘Captain’ should be saying. Fair play to him, takes guts to come out and say that. That’s what his experience brings. Anyone who says it was wrong what he said needs there heads wobbled!”
Final word to Pete Ellis, who feels Fullkrug’s outburst has given fans hope.
“Fullkrug has just showed Potter (via all the fans reactions to his rant) that we are all behind getting rid of anyone that don’t want to abide by his attacking philosophy. Mediocre mentality not acceptable anymore. Enough is enough. Fullkrug has just given us all some hope.”
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