Niclas Fullkrug lambasts West Ham teammates after conceding late to tie with Southampton

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Evening Standard

·19 aprile 2025

Niclas Fullkrug lambasts West Ham teammates after conceding late to tie with Southampton

Fullkrug teed up West Ham’s opener but was not pleased with the Hammers’ response to the goal

West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug offered a brutal assessment of the Hammers’ 1-1 draw with Southampton, angrily highlighting a ‘mindset problem’ in the squad.

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The German assisted Jarrod Bowen’s opener shortly after half-time, but was left frustrated as his teammates eased off the gas, leaving the door open for the Saints to equalise in injury time through Lesley Ugochukwu, equaling Derby County’s Premier League points record of 11.

Fullkrug seethed as he dissected the performance for Sky Sports.

He said: “I am not disappointed, just angry with what we did after the goal. It is a mindset problem. It was very difficult to bring the boys back to push on.

“We tried, but didn't have the ability or the motivation to push up again. I am very angry that we played like this because we had some minutes where we showed what we can do against an opponent like that at home.

“[In the second half] we showed we can have very good possession, if we go in behind and have chances to score again. but the motivation? That angers me more.”

Fullkrug, whose minutes have been limited by injuries this season, felt that West Ham grew lazy after scoring.

He continued: “It is not the first time we score a goal, then at the next goal kick we shoot the ball long. We don’t try to play football anymore. We don't push up anymore. We just sink, and that is not the way we want to play.”

Fullkrug assisted Bowen’s opener

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“[The first 45 minutes were] not perfect, but we tried to play with possession, create chances, and score a goal.

“Then we score a goal, and after that half of the team tried to score again and the other half of the team just tried to defend very deep. That is not the way it works.

“We have to have togetherness, to have the idea of where we want to go and what we want to do. The coach is very clear of what he wants, but everyone has to do it.”

Manager Graham Potter agreed with Fullkrug’s assessment.

“You look at a Premier League football game, you have to play well, your players have to play well. There are probably not too many who can say, ‘yeah, I had a really good game today.’

“Collectively, we all have to look at that and find out the reasons. I think it is a day where we have to be honest and say no, that isn’t good enough. We have to do better.”

The draw leaves West Ham sat 16th, at risk of being leapfrogged by Wolves.