Graham Potter must 'make example' of West Ham star after 27-word social media post - opinion

West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug made headlines after an expletive outburst about his team’s tactics earlier this month and caught the wrath of Graham Potter in the aftermath.

The £27 million former Borussia Dortmund man doesn’t quite appear to have accepted the warning from his manager either, returning to social media following the 3-2 defeat to Brighton on Saturday.

Fullkrug was returned to the bench against the Seagulls, having started and grabbed an assist in the 1-1 draw with Southampton last time out. Speaking after the match, a frustrated Potter was adamant that was not a result of the German’s outburst with Hammers supporters chanting “Niclas Fullkrug, he says what he wants” and “Get the German on the pitch”.

Niclas Fullkrug shares 27-word Instagram post

Posting on Instagram after the defeat, Fullkrug made sure that his post match analysis was less foul-mouthed but seemed to slide in a thinly veiled dig by saying that “there’s no avoiding the truth”. With a photo of him applauding fans, the striker wrote: “The last weeks have been tough, there’s no avoiding the truth. But we have to stick together and try and finish the season on a positive note.”

The drama comes after Fullkrug spoke about a ‘mindset’ problem from the club having drawn against already relegated Southampton. The Saints bagged an 93rd minute equaliser in that match.

Fullkrug said: "It is a mindset problem. Very angry today. We don't try to play football anymore. Sorry we were s*** and I'm very angry. We don't push up anymore, we just sink and that's not the way we want to play. It is not the first time where we score a goal and then the next goal kick we just shoot the ball long."

Potter had initially been calm when reacting to those comments, somewhat sympathising with Fullkrug. The former Chelsea boss admitted that the German is someone who ‘wears his heart on his sleeve’ but that his interview had not been ‘helpful’.

Graham Potter must make an example of West Ham striker

There was surely a degree of punishment in Fullkrug being benched against Brighton but, if that was the Hammers boss trying to exert his power, it hasn’t worked. The Hammers faithful mocked the decision and Fullkrug himself is poking the bear with the wording of that post.

Potter looked like a man on the edge of an implosion after defeat to his former club. Regarding the chants in favour of Fullkrug and defeat to Brighton, he said: “They’re entitled to sing whatever they want. No one wants to hear positives. It doesn't matter. I’m sick of talking about positives. We have to stick together, because it's a tough last four weeks. We have to be together.

“I'm going to be frustrated. I'm not a robot. I'm a human being as well. I stand there myself, give everything to this, what I'm doing of course, I'm gonna be upset. I have to come here and speak calmly to you guys, but that's not how I'm feeling inside. If you want me to swear, I can swear.

“I can assure you, there are not many human beings that will be feeling more pain than me at the moment about a football match. I understand the supporters’ frustration. I understand that, absolutely. And yes, it’s tough for us all.”

West Ham fans need to see that Potter is a man not to be messed with, as too does Fullkrug. The feeling of apathy at the London Stadium must end and, with his insistence on playing the unelected spokesperson, Fullkrug has made himself the number one candidate to be made an example of.

In other news, Karren Brady has already explained why West Ham must have serious Graham Potter conversation this summer - opinion.