In a week when reports surfaced, external of Niclas Fullkrug’s apparent unhappiness with life at the Hammers, it was a cute psychological ploy by Lopetegui to give him a first Premier League start.
Here was a player fired up with a point to prove, you would think.
But a few flick-ons, a couple of misplaced passes and some lumbering runs were the culmination of Fullkrug’s efforts during 57 largely ineffective minutes before he was hooked from the action.
The striker appears to have all the qualities needed to be a roaring success in the Premier League – but maybe in the English top flight as it was a decade or two ago, rather than this incarnation.
It might be match sharpness, but Fullkrug looked especially ponderous.
According to Opta, Fullkrug won two of his seven aerial duels against Brighton, had three touches in the opposition box and managed a solitary shot, which was off target.
A kind of souped-up version of Dean Windass, the 6ft 2in Germany international also feels a little incongruous for Lopetegui’s possession-based style.
West Ham posed a greater attacking threat when Bowen moved into the centre and with the livewire Crysencio Summerville, Fullkrug’s replacement, running directly at players.
In his defence, Fullkrug’s time at the London Stadium since he joined from Borussia Dortmund for £27m in the summer has been blighted by injuries.
So far, he has played 165 minutes in the Premier League this season, with just two shots and one goal to his name.
West Ham have been crying out for a number nine for some time, but Fullkrug, a late bloomer with a cult appeal, has a way to go to show it’s him.
More to follow.
Morocco
