Graham Potter makes game-changing Niclas Fullkrug call for West Ham v Tottenham
Graham Potter has made two changes to his West Ham United starting XI as they host Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium.
The Hammers take on one of their cross-capital rivals this Sunday afternoon (2pm), aiming to return to winning ways in Stratford against a Spurs outfit fixated on Europe rather than their domestic form.
The reverse fixture of this ‘derby’ came back in October at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, when Mohammed Kudus was sent off after having given the Irons the lead, contributing to a 4-1 defeat.
Potter makes two changes, Ward-Prowse axed
Niclas Fullkrug has been recalled to the starting XI for West Ham in a shape shuffle by his head coach, as James Ward-Prowse has been dropped following a string of uninspiring displays.
Aaron Cresswell has also been drafted back into the line-up from the off, with Konstantinos Mavropanos the other man to be reduced to the bench following last weekend’s late defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion (26 April).
The Irons will feel they can get at Tottenham, with Ange Postecoglou’s side making no secret of their obvious priorities for this season as they have one foot already into the Europa League final.
West Ham will sense an ideal opportunity to put the wretched defeat at Brighton behind them, and Potter could be lauded as a game-changer by bringing Fullkrug back into the side. He can cause this sketchy Spurs backline huge problems.
The German forward powerhouse has been excellent when fit this season, and if he can continue momentum and sustain a run of games next year, he could have a massive impact in East London.
West Ham can hand Tottenham 20th defeat
If there are two clubs in the Premier League one could say have underperformed most based on summer expectations, there are other contenders but really, it could be any pair from West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. Spurs are at risk of losing 20 league matches for the first-ever time in the Premier League era.
The Hammers are included in that trio as many had backed them for a European push this season such was their summer transfer investment, only to flounder under Julen Lopetegui and look only marginally superior at a push under an increasingly-criticised Potter.
| POS | Premier League table | PLD | PTS | GD |
| 15 | Manchester United | 34 | 39 | -8 |
| 16 | Tottenham Hotspur | 34 | 37 | +6 |
| 17 | WEST HAM | 34 | 36 | -19 |
The head coach knows this summer is massive and that the microscope on his own progress with the squad will be zoomed in tenfold after his first full transfer window at the wheel is complete.
A run of decent results to end the campaign can at least bring light on a frustrating year, and give West Ham some sort of springboard of momentum.