Claret and Hugh’ earlier articles concerning the club’s transfer window strategy have been met by concerns from dozens upon dozens of readers over the links between the club and well-known agent Will Salthouse’s Unique Sports Group. There have been many suggestions (both published and some less appropriate for publication) from readers suggesting that Callum Wilson is being signed by the club irrespective of Graham Potter’s wishes – but rather through the close association between Salthouse and Hammers chairman David Sullivan.
Does Graham Potter, in fact, want the player at all?
In addition, during the last 48 hours the new links with Salthouse client, Sheffield United ‘keeper David Cooper seemed a puzzling-about face from Graham Potter’s apparent stated goal keeping target of Mads Hermansen– could this be a case of another Salthouse client being pushed.?
In fact, just this afternoon Claret and Hugh have also thrown light on the ‘Cooper to West Ham‘ story.
In view of all the reader comments, what, we wondered, was the manager’s position in this transfer triangle. Surely a recipe for disaster for Graham Potter if, as fans have suggested, the West Ham head coach is being over-ruled. In essence, who has the final say over player recruitment at West Ham?
Accordingly, our top club source at West Ham was asked directly: “Does Graham Potter have the final say on players, and is he allowed his own ‘picks’? There are lots of concerns from the fans about influence of agents”
No wiggle room in the answer.
“Of course he picks the players, we would never force anyone on him. The manager has final say on all transfers. If [Potter] and Kyle don’t want a player, we won’t sign them”.
Fans will wait to see who is next through the door before breaking out in sighs of relief: In football, as in life, actions speak louder than words.
I’ve come to the conclusion that both sides are playing game’s and seeking to gain an advantage if things go wrong, this statement is meaningless and we all know Sullivan can’t help himself. Equally, the majority of fans were perplexed and dismayed with the starting midfield selection against Utd but it makes total sense of Potter want’s to prioritise midfield replacements with recruitment stalling he’s saying, look, we’re going to struggle unless we buy, younger more dynamic and energetic player’s. Time, money and Sullivan are prohibiting the rebuild but hopefully, Potter stand’s his ground, Wilson will either make it break him because it’s unthinkable to release Antonio but replace him with Wilson, a club with no principles, ethos or direction.
To be fair, that allows for a LOT of wiggle room.
What if they can’t or won’t get the players Potter wants and instead only offer lesser alternatives? If Potter accepts, then that becomes ‘the manager’s choice’.
Sullivan would always push the cheaper alternative potters way! Potter needs to stand firm as it’s his career that’s at stake! Hermansen is the far better goalkeeper of the two and we need to convince him to join us as our no1
Sounds like corporate speak, the words themselves don’t speak of Potter and McCauley picking the players only of players not being forced on them and if they don’t like them they won’t be bought. If anything were to be deduced it would be that it is clear someone other than Potter and McCauley has picked these players.
Yes right. Of course we believe that….
All you can do is ask the question Martin, whether or not the answer is truthful, only time will tell. This would not be the first time we were sold a dummy, would it? What is hard to fathom is some of the 180 degree changes of direction, particularly regarding importance of positions to be filled. On the positive side, Saturday’s game provided confirmation of who should go and who should play. Whether the powers that be take any notice we will only know if Rodriguez, Areola and JWP appear on the team sheet again.
What a load of bull. Anyone who pays attention to West Ham knows there is only one sure way to know who picks what players.
If they do well, sullivan signed them. If they do poorly, the scapegoat signed them. (Scapegoat changes as and when suited).
Would this club source honestly say anything else?
The bigger issue is why these Salthouse players and (manager) recommendations are pursued. Clearly a conflict of interest
Translated as : “he has the final say – as long as the ownership agrees with his decision. Otherwise, he does as he is told & signs players that the ownership have decided upon.If he doesn’t agree with this, his position is in jeopardy “. He treads a fine line between trying to positively influence the ownership over his selections, & trying not to seriously “pxxs it off” by expressing his opposition too strongly on their choices. Way of the world, really !
Could this be wool over the eyes job?
Throwing the ball back in Potters court will take the heat off over individuals. To
Insider = David Sullivan ” no honest manager has final say” until said manager is fired then any scussful signings were purely down to sullivan and all the flops were the manager choice. We know the script we’ve been here many times before.
Of course as a site supporting the board this would be an article you want fans to read . Come on really.
If Wilson ends up with us then either Potter has hung himself out to dry by his own words or your source is lying and setting Potter up to be the focus of fan ire on incomings.
I guess that depends on whom your source is. If Sullivan, or defacto Sullivan, then you are hardly going to get a different answer.
Irrespective who has the final say, the reality is we have only signed one player who is going straight into the first team and only sold one first team player. ……in over 50 days of the transfer windows. Potter’s understandable wish to have players in before the season starts (and by that, he means for the pre season build up) is falling apart rapidly.
I’ve never less looked forward to a new season as much as this one.