What a difference a win can make. After Mateus Fernandes’ marvellous debut, a Callum Wilson header and another El Hadji Malick Diouf assist, suddenly sunlight is piercing through the clouds at West Ham United.
The Hammers could hardly have picked a better time to secure their first victory over the new campaign, either. A stunning 3-0 triumph over Nottingham Forest.
Just imagine the prospect of a two week break from Premier League football, and a fortnight dominated by speculation over Graham Potter’s future among a fearful fanbase wondering where the next win was coming from.
Instead, the West Ham United faithful can tuck into England vs Andorra this Saturday with a renewed sense of optimism.
Mateus Fernandes is a fan favourite already, Malick Diouf is rapidly justifying his £19 million price-tag, and Callum Wilson ensured that Potter will have a very difficult decision to make when bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur make the trip east on September 13th.
As far as former Aston Villa captain Gabby Agbonlahor is concerned, meanwhile, there should only be one winner in the Niclas Fullkrug vs Callum Wilson debate.
Gabby Agbonlahor says Callum Wilson overshadowing Niclas Fullkrug at West Ham United
Agbonlahor watched Wilson make a colossal impact off the bench at the City Ground, replacing the ineffective Fullkrug and producing far more in half-an-hour than the big German managed across the previous 64 minutes.
While the arrival of a 33-year-old free agent sparked plenty of fury among a fanbase demanding greater ambition in the transfer market – Callum Wilson’s Newcastle injury record was worrying enough on its own – Agbonlahor is eager to point out that the size of a player’s price-tag can never be considered a guarantee of success.
“Its not about how much you spend, it is what you spend the money on,” he tells talkSPORT. “I mean, they signed Niclas Fullkrug for near enough £30m. He runs like he’s got no hips! He can’t get around the pitch!
“Honestly, what a bad signing. Yes, he did well at the Euros [with Germany last summer] but he’s not a good enough player for me. That was a strange signing.
“You buy Fullkrug for [almost] £30 million but someone like Callum Wilson, a free transfer and a better player. A lot better player. A better striker, but didn’t cost them anything.
“Don’t just blow the money to keep the fans happy. What about deals?”
Fullkrug went into the new campaign having scored three goals in pre-season. He is yet to find the net in over 200 competitive minutes since then, however. The phrase ‘false dawn’ comes to mind.
Dominated by the sizeable centre-halves of Sunderland, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, there must now be serious concerns about whether the £27 million acquisition from Borussia Dortmund will ever adapt to the intensity of English football.
As for Wilson, he has been there, done it, and scored 89 top-flight goals along the way. He might not be a long-term solution to West Ham’s striker problems but, as demonstrated off the bench at Forest, Wilson’s footwork, his mobility and his predatory instincts suggest that Fullkrug should no longer be considered the most dangerous centre-forward in Potter’s ranks.
Former Aston Villa captain praises Mateus Fernandes and Malick Diouf deals
Agbonlahor, while baffled about the money West Ham have frittered away on underperforming, error-prone centre-halves, does appreciate much of the business done over the summer.
He is a big fan of Mateus Fernandes, is backing Mads Hermansen to silence his critics, and one suspects he would have loved to latch onto one of Diouf’s trademark crosses during his own days leading the line in the Premier League.
“[Jean-Clair] Todibo, signed for £32 million! Honestly. I watch [Dinos] Mavropanos, he did better against Forest but he’s been poor,” Agbonlahor adds. “Todibo was dropped for the game against Forest, what happened? Clean sheet, win 3-0.
“They are not quick enough to play in a high line. Some of the goals West Ham have conceded, I watch [Max] Kikman, and Kilman signed for £40 million! He’s got to do better.
“It’s about what you spend the money on, not what you spend. West Ham, they’ve spent money but haven’t always spent it wisely.
“I do like Diouf, the left-back they signed for £20 million. Hermansen the goalkeeper had a bit of a shaky start. Fernandes from Southampton is a very good player. I’m sure he’ll do well.
“And Callum Wilson; Free transfer, hasn’t cost you anything. He looked great at Forest, scored a great goal. You see his movement for the goal, he made eight nine different movements to get away from the defender.”
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