(Credit: Imago/ talkSPORT)
(Credit: Imago/ talkSPORT)

Niclas Fullkrug called out over 'pathetic' actions as Jamie O'Hara piles in on West Ham player

Alex Charlton

Alex is a lifelong Sunderland supporter who's been reporting on Mackem News since April 2025. Indeed, he started working for Breaking Media in April and has since graduated from St Mary's University as a NCTJ Gold Standard-accredited journalist, having completed his Master's degree in Sports Journalism. Alex previously worked for Football League World and has featured on the Roker Report, providing his opinion on all things Sunderland. While getting to the games is tricky, given his job, one of the highlights of his life was watching (and crying) as the Black Cats defeated Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium last season.

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Niclas Fullkrug has endured a troubled time at West Ham and is in the spotlight once more at the London Stadium.

West Ham started with a 3-0 defeat to Sunderland, but things have not improved in East London.

Fullkrug thought he had scored against Chelsea, only for the goal to be ruled out before the Hammers fell to a 5-1 defeat.

Graham Potter started Fullkrug on the bench against Wolves, but he made no impact, and now Jamie O'Hara has criticised the striker.

West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug in a white t-shirt
Fullkrug has failed to live up to the hype in East London (Credit: Imago)

Jamie O'Hara and Jason Cundy lay into Niclas Fullkrug

Fullkrug enjoyed a promising pre-season for West Ham, but he has failed to carry that form into the competitive season.

The German arrived from Borussia Dortmund in high esteem last summer, having impressed on the international stage.

However, last term he struggled for minutes after suffering Achilles tendon and hamstring injuries, keeping him out for 19 games.

Those setbacks meant his minutes and starts were limited in a season that was turbulent for the Irons.

Now, he has come in for further condemnation for his performances in the Hammers' early-season matches.

West Ham Niclas Fullkrug stats
Fullkrug's stats in the league last season (Credit: Imago)

Indeed, Jason Cundy and Jamie O'Hara were discussing the 32-year-old's form with a fan while presenting talkSPORT on 26 August.

Cundy said: "I want to ask you about Fullkrug as well.

"I thought his performance against Chelsea was pretty pathetic. Going down, looking for cheap free-kicks, moaning.

"Honestly, he's not somebody you want in your team when you're trying to fight for everything.

"He bailed out and he got pulled off at half-time, didn't he?"

O'Hara replied: "He piped up last season as well, didn't he, giving it the bigg'un about this and that and more passion and really, truthfully, ever since I've seen him in a West Ham shirt, terrible."

What does Niclas Fullkrug's struggles mean for West Ham?

Given how badly things are going for the German at the London Stadium, he may well continue on the bench.

West Ham have signed Callum Wilson, and he is an obvious replacement for Fullkrug.

However, the forward has endured his own consistent struggles with injury and cannot be relied upon regularly.

Beyond that, the Irons only have a couple of younger options, highlighting how short they are in forward areas.

Of course, they could delve into the transfer market for another striker, but time is running out.

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