Niclas Fullkrug made headlines following West Ham’s 1-1 draw to Southampton on Saturday after an explosive interview where the German criticised the team’s mentality.
West Ham took the lead early in the second half through a trademark Jarrod Bowen finish, but the home side were unable to push on for a second and were punished in stoppage time when Lesley Ugochukwu scored from close range to give the Saints just their 11th point of the season.
It was an incredibly frustrating result and performance from the Hammers, who really should have put in a more controlled and confident display against a team sitting rock bottom of the league.
This frustration ultimately came out in Fullkrug’s fiery post-match rant, in which he suggested the team has a “mindset problem,” criticising the team’s motivation and engagement following Bowen’s opener.
The German international highlighted the attitude problems among the players in the team: “It’s not the first time that we score a goal and the next goal kick we just shoot the ball long. We don’t try to play football anymore.
“We score a goal, and then after that, half of the team tried to score again, and the other half of the team just tried to defend.”
Were Fullkrug’s comments fair?
Sky Sports’ Jamie O’Hara and Jay Bothroyd were critical of the 32-year-old’s comments following the draw, suggesting that he is in no position to criticise the team after what’s been a “rubbish” season for the striker.
I would have to disagree with the takes from Bothroyd and O’Hara and actually say how refreshing it is to see an interview with this level of honesty and passion from a player.
There have been passengers on the pitch far too often in a West Ham shirt this season, who are happy to simply go through the motions, and all Hammers fans are desperate to see some fight and hunger from their side, but this has been almost completely absent in far too many performances.
An interview where a player actually shows some care and passion, while also making fair points about the mentality in the side, will no doubt be a welcome sight for the West Ham faithful.
Fullkrug is an experienced striker who has played at major international competitions for Germany so will be in a great position to know when there are issues within a team, and I do believe a player speaking as truthfully as this to the media is perhaps the wake-up call the team needs.
It was an incredibly telling interview which reveals a lack of togetherness and clear strategy within the team, which will be a cause of concern for Hammers fans and also whether Graham Potter is having a positive impact on the team.
