Graham Potter increasing in influence at West Ham
West Ham are understood to have paid ‘significant’ compensation to lure Graham Potter’s long-time trusted colleague, Kyle Macaulay, from Chelsea.
Claret & Hugh understands the sum paid to release Macaulay from his Stamford Bridge contract was approaching seven figures.
Macaulay, described as a ‘data analyst,’ has been a close ally of Potter throughout his footballing career. The Scotsman currently holds the position of ‘chief analyst’ at Chelsea and has been part of a highly successful team at Brighton, alongside talent spotter Paul Winstanley and director of football Dan Ashworth.
It is understood that current West Ham DOF Tim Steidten played no role in Macaulay’s hiring. Furthermore, this move strengthens Potter’s influence over West Ham’s future transfer strategy, which was a significant factor in the prolonged contract negotiations before the former Brighton boss eventually signed.
Whether the Irons fledgling recruitment set-up had any part in the £57m bid for Jhon Duran is uncertain although Claret & Hugh understands Steidten was not involved.
We don’t need f?????g data analysts we need someone to connect with the crowd and put some enthusiasm into our players I can’t see a computer doing that, and we also need a striker , I can’t see potter as the answer I really can’t his reputation is bigger than his statistics, we need a mark noble character in the dressing room , we don’t seem to have got a new manager bounce it’s more of a trickle, as usual with us it’s all talk all meat and no gravy, we’ve gone from a Ferrari being driven by a granny , to a three wheeler with flat tyres being driven by an optimist?
Gotta give the guy some time! Hard to produce much of a bounce when you have no decent centre forward and only 1 half decent centre half. I’m feeling optimistic, I suspect this season is a bit if a write off but young players coming through and a better coach in place is definitely positive news for the longer term.
Until Sullivan goes, they’ll always be woes! He is killing West Ham, It”s now up to you Dan!
People knocked Chelsea for buying up the worlds best young prospects on 8 year contracts but now those players are getting older and better their policy seems to have started working doesn’t it.
I just don’t get why we are not pressing ahead with the Lille pair – both in last 6 months of their contracts, both fit and proven – combined significantly less that 57M. Why haven’t we called Aquerd back, don’t go to bed but if you do you won’t miss anything other than the usual “we tried”. Still think the way the league is finishing top 8 is realistic but only with 3-4 new players and cutting some dead wood.
Aguered cannot be called back the loan deal does not have that option….but he would not add anything to the team IMO the rough and tumble of the Prem does not suit him and it showed so let him keep playing well in Spain and get a decent fee for him in the summer
1) We cannot recall Aguerd even if we wanted to.
2) it’s amazing how good players become when they are out of the team. Last season he was shit and getting shitter by the game.
3) David,you’re having a laugh. He is running his contract down so he can negotiate with what club he fancies and for what fee he can get. That ain’t West Ham now,or in the summer.
Zero chance of us signing David he has the pick of all the top clubs in Europe and scored for Lille against Liverpool in the Champions League last night. He’s scored 7 goals plus 3 assists in 11 CL matches plus 11 goals and 2 assists in Lique 1 already this season, and one of the top goalscorers in Europe. Why on earth would he join us when we are 14th in the table and nowhere near Champions League competition in Europe?
Love to see your hopes of a top 8 position come true but definitely agree this could only be possible by signing 3-4 new players and getting rid of the dead wood.
How many more talent spotters,pearl divers,analysis experts and whatever other titles these so called football genius’s go by do we need ,just get someone to buy a centre forward a centre back and a midfield general that’s not going to take the entire transfer window to achieve
Well said, Terry – too much talk and not enough action ! Preparing a Moon landing takes less time than it does for West Ham to identify & buy a decent player.