You sometimes hear versatility described as a strength and weakness in football, but Mohammed Kudus sees his ability to play in a number of positions as a positive as he gets used to life under Graham Potter in the West Ham.
It was a tough time for West Ham.
There was a change in the dugout with Potter replacing Julen Lopetegui and injuries to forwards Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio, Cryssoncio Summeville and Niclas FullKrug left Danny-ings as the hammers.
It has led to Kudus playing four positions, including centre-forward, in just three matches under Potter, and while he admits it is not an ideal situation, it can either way help the Hammers take on Aston Villa at Super Sundaylive Sky Sports; Start at 16:30.
Sunday, January 26, 4:00 p.m
Krditi 16:30
“I played four different positions in three games, which is a plus, but it's also very difficult,” Kudus said Sky Sports.
“When you play in a certain position, it becomes natural. The movements are natural. But being versatile is good for a coach, especially with injuries. I can play a number of positions and I don't think about it and I don't mind doing the work for the team to get three points.
“I'm still learning in other roles and trying to help the team,” he added.
“With the new manager, it's about what's expected of me, depending on the position I play. It's very different playing wide to playing as a second striker or even as a striker.
“I have to switch my mind quickly to be able to adjust to whatever position I'm in. That's something I need to work on and improve.”
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New West Ham boss Graham Potter talks about whether Mohammed Kudus has the ability to play in a central role after a full injury
New Hammers boss Potter explained that he may have to get “creative” because of injuries to pass on and Kudus, who has leading experience with former club Ajax and West Ham, was used as a centre-forward in last weekend's 2-0 defeat of Crystal Palace.
West Ham were also public in their offer to hire a new forward in this window with The club have rejected Sunday's opponents Aston Villa for striker Jhon Duran.
However, while the 24-year-old admits he still has a lot to learn as a striker, it's a role he's ready to embrace and a challenge he feels.
“I have to be stronger,” Kudus said of the challenges of playing center for center.
“I'm playing against big, strong centre-backs. I have to be strong to protect the ball. Obviously, they're bigger than me, but I can definitely do a job there for the team.
I just need to learn more moves and learn how I can help the team better.
“But I'm also a strong player. It's definitely a challenge, but I'm good for it and a challenge I enjoy.”
“Players adjust after change of manager”
Kudus has three leagues to his name so far
Kudus has become a key figure at West Ham since his £38m move from Ajax in the summer of 2023.
He hit the ground running in the same London last season, scoring 14 goals in all competitions as West Ham secured the top half in the league.
Kudus hasn't quite hit the same heights this season, scoring just three times in the league for the Hammers. West Ham have not quite hit the same heights this season, leading to the sacking of Julin Lopetegui after just 20 games in charge in the league.
Potter is the new man in charge at West Ham and while Kudus insists a change of manager has its challenges, he believes he and his team-mates need to step it up to get back on track.
Kudus celebrates with Cryssoncio meeting
He said: “It was difficult (changing managers).
“There is a tactical element because every manager has his own way of thinking. There is a specific role manager expects from you and then director b expects another way.
“How quickly you have to change that in your head and how quickly you adapt to a new way of playing, it's difficult. But as professionals, that's our job.
“We cannot control who the club brings in a manager, but we can control our efforts, our energy and our passion.
“Whoever is the manager, that can change, but you can always run a lot, track, push and fight. That part of the game always remains the same no matter who the manager is.
“But the tactical part of the game and the way of playing, has an impact. As a group of players, we have to adapt quickly to the way the new coach wants to play.”
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Free to watch: Highlights from West Ham v Crystal Palace in the Premier League
“We are all leaders on the field, regardless of who has the captain's armband,” he added. “We all have a role, even the guys on the bench.
“It's about supporting your teammates and getting them out and ready to play because in some games there was a bench that changed the game.
“It's about the whole squad. It's about taking responsibility, doing your job and making sure the guy next to you is doing. We need everybody because we all have an important role to play.”
'Potter raised the energy'
Graham Potter applauds the fans at the London Stadium
The league win over Fulham was sandwiched between the FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa and last weekend's disappointing defeat at home to Crystal Palace as Potter was quickly thrown into action.
Three games in a week leaves little time for the new coach to get his methods across the players on the training ground, but Kudus has seen an energy lift among the West Hall provisions since Potter's arrival.
“He demands a lot,” Kudus said.
“He's only been here for a short period of time, but we can feel the energy as players.
“For me it was the same with the old manager, they expect a lot and the challenging part is replicating what he wants me to do in his system. I know we don't have time, but these things don't have time. The fans expect points immediately and we have to get wins , but we are settling into the new way of playing, it takes time.”
Kudus backing West Ham for 'statement' wins at Villa
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FREE to watch: Highlights from West Ham v Fulham in the Premier League
It's time they had nitive games in the Midweeks this week as they prepare to face Aston at Villa Park, live on Sky Sports on Sunday (4.30pm kick-off).
The Hammers have won just seven games in the Premier League so far, losing 10 games. However, with such a congested league table, a run of wins would see Potter's side in time.
Kudus believes there is no better place to start winning than at Villa Park.
“It's a tough league,” he said. “It takes a lot to get points.
It means a lot to include 50 Premier League games for West Ham. However, the team comes first. We want to be tall with the table and that's where the focus is.
“But it's also a very tight league. There are no big points between a lot of teams.
“If you can win a few games, you'll soon move up the league. We're very aware of that and that's why we need to keep going week in, week out. Two or three wins and we'd get the table, so we need to stay focused and keep going.
“It's tough with the games coming thick and fast but we've got a whole week to prepare for Aston Villa. We can really get into what the manager expects. We've had a good training run for everyone and how he wants us to play.
“It's a big game and a chance for us to make a statement.”
Watch Aston Villa v West Ham Ham live on Sky Sports on Super Sunday; Start at 16:30.