Nuno may have made up mind on Niclas Fullkrug already after what happened in Arsenal defeat
Niclas Fullkrug has failed to impress Nuno Espirito Santo in the last two games.
Fullkrug has been favoured over Callum Wilson up front since Nuno was announced, but he looks set to lose his starting place after the international break.
West Ham had just five touches inside the opposition box in the first half and struggled to make an impression on the hosts after the break, with the German international on the pitch.
Fullkrug’s West Ham exit could be sanctioned in January if his poor showing against Arsenal is anything to go off.
Niclas Fullkrug useless in West Ham’s defeat to Arsenal
Supporters had been hopeful for the game at the Emirates Stadium after West Ham battled for a 1-1 draw with Everton on Monday evening.
Soungoutou Magassa was impressive for Nuno’s side in the draw, but the Hammers failed to replicate the performance for the most part.
Fullkrug failed to make an impression and was replaced by Callum Marshall in the 62nd minute, with the youngster coming on to make his debut.
In just 30 minutes on the pitch, the former Huddersfield loanee offered more of an outlet than his German counterpart had managed.
Fullkrug had been expected to hold the ball up well in the final third against a side that kept more than 70 per cent of possession.
However, the striker had just 31 touches against the Gunners, and has scored just one goal so far this season, and has an expected goals of just 0.53.
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Callum Marshall to start ahead of Niclas Fullkrug
Marshall impressed during the week for West Ham’s under-21s’ 3-1 defeat to Reading in the English Football League Trophy.
He earned plenty of praise from Royals boss Neil Hunt, who was surprised that the striker wasn’t already part of the first team.
- Marshall scored ten and assisted four in League One for Huddersfield last season
- The striker scored 19 goals for the under-21s in the 2023/24 season
He looked a lot brighter than Fullkrug when he came on, and there is no danger in Nuno handing him an opportunity after the international break against Brentford.
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