West Ham ‘mentality problem’ mooted amid ‘two-faced’ Niclas Fullkrug verdict
West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug wasn’t holding back as he highlighted problems after the draw against Southampton on Saturday.
The Hammers conceded a last-minute leveller to the Premier League’s bottom side, falling to yet another frustrating result under Graham Potter.
After going 1-0 up through Jarrod Bowen in the second half, failing to build from that to secure three points was simply unacceptable at the London Stadium.
This prompted a fiery reaction from Fullkrug at full time, with serious questions now being asked of the East London outfit.
Ben Foster assesses Niclas Fullkrug West Ham rant
It is fair to say that the Germany international was as fuming with the result against the Saints as many supporters inside the stadium in E20.
Within just seconds of his interview, the ex-Borussia Dortmund man outlined a “mindset problem” surrounding the Irons and voiced his anger.
| Stat | West Ham | Southampton |
| Possession | 52 | 48 |
| Expected goals | 0.91 | 0.64 |
| Big chances | 0 | 1 |
| Corners | 2 | 5 |
This came despite making just 13 appearances for the Hammers, proving just how much he cares about the club and how rageful he is towards his teammates.
This has left former Manchester United goalkeeper Foster delighted, but questions were asked about what his teammates would think of his comments.
Speaking on the Football Fill-In (22 April), co-host Tom Ochoa questioned: “Will the lads be really annoyed that he’s taken it public?”
Foster replied: “No, I don’t think they will. As long as he said that to the lads in the dressing room in the heat of the moment. I agree with him, there’s a massive mentality problem at West Ham. As long as he’s done it at full time, no one would be able to say anything to him.
Ochoa continued to prod the former England international, “So if he hadn’t of said anything, then gone out and done the interview, is that two-faced?”
“It’s two-faced, that’s exactly what it is,” Foster returned.
“The lads need that to have happened in the dressing room. He’s bang on and he’s been honest because he wants more from the team.”
Fullkrug deserves praise at West Ham
There aren’t many players who would stand there and take accountability for such a poor showing against such a poor side.
Southampton have won just two Premier League games this season while picking up an additional five draws, with one of them coming in East London.
This just goes to show how frustrating of a result this was, so it is no surprise that the German would be raging in E20.
Potter has to do more to get the best out of the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta, who were far from good enough against the Saints.
Moving into the new campaign under the Englishman, there is every chance for a raft of changes in the summer, but Fullkrug has to stay.
The 32-year-old has proven his worth in a single interview and has shown just how much of a perfect teammate he is.