West Ham boss Graham Potter apologised to fans following Monday night’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United, but his comments may have missed the mark.
Speaking post-match, Potter said: “I apologise if things aren’t happening quicker than we want them to, but I think when you see the players give everything, the commitment is there.”
While supporters understand that Potter has inherited a mess and that rebuilding takes time, his response felt overly sensitive. Instead of addressing concerns over his tactics, he framed criticism of the performance as a questioning of his players’ commitment—a misinterpretation that was unnecessary.
Few, if any, have doubted the players’ work rate. The real issue is the manager’s cautious approach. West Ham fans know the defence needs fixing, and we are prepared to be patient. However, with no relegation threat, Potter has the freedom to start implementing his playing style now.
No one expects an instant transformation, but some glimpse of progress would be welcome. Right now, the Hammers look painfully passive, fielding just two attackers and relying on a hoofing goalkeeper who can’t kick accurately.
It’s clear Potter has a long-term plan, but why not begin embedding it? His reaction to criticism felt a bit touchy when, in reality, he should be addressing the real concerns: tactical imbalance and a lack of attacking intent.
Not enough creativity
Potter was never going to get Alvarez to unpick a defence
Nobody is questioning Edson Álvarez’s commitment—he worked tirelessly. The problem was deploying him as an attacking midfielder. Likewise, Tomáš Souček ran himself into the ground, but completing just EIGHT successful passes in the game is unacceptable.
West Ham fans aren’t expecting miracles, but we do want signs of progression. Instead, after eight games under Potter, West Ham statistically attack less than any other team in the Premier League.
Potter’s job is safe, but he needs to stop worrying about imaginary accusations and start focusing on fixing the real problems. Fans aren’t asking for much—just a team that looks like it wants to play football.
Gonzo I agree with everything you said . Football is a game of opinions and disappointing to read some of the comments on here which are abusive
I don’t understand Potters approach. Why sign Ferguson then not play him. He didn’t want to sell Guilherme but then never plays him. Playing 9 defenders at home is ridiculous. Potter needs to realise quickly he is in the entertainment business.
I totally agree with the post. Just because the defensive tactics worked against Arsenal , that doesn’t mean the same tactics should be deployed against a Leicester side which cannot buy a win. It was no surprise it resulted in a poor performance. There is a saying that attack is the best form of defence. All I can see at the moment is that Potter is following the the same tactics as Moyes and we know how that turned out.
C&H always pushed back on those (like me) who said “be careful what you wish for” re getting rid of Moyes. Let’s see what happens on Saturday. Hopefully as you say 3-0. But if it’s 3-0 to Everton instead I hope that C&H and all those who supported the (insane IMHO) to get rid of Moyes will accept it graciously as the price of wishing to get rid of him.
During the last 6 months of Moyes contract, the football was painful to watch and the results reflected the standard of play, awful. West Ham did not “get rid of Moyes”, his contract ended, and given the previous 6 months results, they simply did not feel inclined to renew it and why should they?. What exactly convinced them to make the next appointment is a mystery and it certainly wasn’t what anyone wished for, but now I think they are in a better place and hopefully we will see steady improvements.
some glimpse of progress would be welcome I agree and in my opinion they have. For me the difference since Lopetegui is notable. We’ve just recently won back to back games for the first time this season. We beat Arsenal. Yes we failed to beat a Newcastle team who up near the top of of the league but if you ask me it was an extremely tight game that could have gone either way and but for poor finishing from us should have actually been a win. Way too early to start with the Potter out vibe. Patience is definitely a virtue.
I don’t think anyone is calling for Potter out. But fair criticism is valid
This is not a good article. We created a record for the most goals conceded in a calendar year in 2024. We’ve just had two wins and two clean sheets. Potter is working with what he’s got and initially trying to make us more solid. We all know that Alvarez isn’t good enough (and hopefully he, like many others, will be gone in the summer) but Potter doesn’t have many options at the moment.
Personal attacks in the comments are not fair, whatever the perceived misdemeanor.
I sat through utter tedium on Monday night like the rest of us but Potter’s job in steadying the ship is about stopping the thumpings we have become used to in recent years, and he is achieving this. Bringing Scarles in is a real bonus, but he’s also given Cress a new lease of life. This team is united and buys into his leadership which is a great start.
Anyway we play better away from LS and looking forward to getting a result on Saturday.
Will be my last visit to Goodison so will savour it even if we lose.
I thought it was a fair article. It wasn’t massively questioning the manager. But with no real threat of relegation it’s a great opportunity to trial and error a more attacking style because that is what most fans really want.
We may not have the exact personnel. Yes we let less goals in and are more organised. The manager is an intelligent and decent guy and most want him to succeed but we need to be excited and entertained or else we are back to square 1 when we got rid of Moyes
You might want to check your arithmetic on that relegation statement Gonzo, it might be unlikely but not impossible, not yet. Potter has done as much as anyone could have reasonably expected given the disastrous year preceding his appointment and the pathetic results of his two predecessors. Now he just needs to make that statement a reality, play some of the younger squad members, forget he even has some of the older ones, be smart with his summer recruitment and start again in August. Good luck to all those still at WHU when the new season starts and especially to all those who just can’t walk away.
You are trying too hard, Gonzo. Ridiculous is an understatement.
Gonzo, enough already, your comments are totally unfair!
You are watching a different team to the rest of us, we have made good progress.
We now have an identity and don’t look like the first time the players have met is when they walk onto the pitch.
Please Give it a rest Gonzo and give it realistic time.
In my any many others opinions your comments are out of line!
Are we at that point already? Looking for every excuse to criticise and whinge about the new manager who has managed to perform a complete 180 in terms of team morale, fixed the defence (since GP started we haven’t conceded more than two goals in a game!), bought Ollie Scarles in as a starting player and actually has a plan for games. Our attack is limp at the moment but what do you expect with no real option for a striker? He even said in his first presser something to the effect of ‘there’s no point focusing on attack and still leaking goals. I for one am right behind Graham. I’m done with this site and the constant whinging and friendly fire.
Oh Gonzo, why don’t you just give it a bloody rest. We all understand the situation, yet you harp on about it because you have nothing better to say and it’s probably a bloody slow news day. God knows you need to fill content space to pay for something. Why not just be happy there is no more Loppy football, that we now have some stability in the defence and realise that the mess is slowly being sorted out. Your opinions are just that….your opinions. You and C&H’s agenda and constant whining are just background noise for the sake of posting something. Potter was answering questions he was asked. Maybe just keep your head down for a few days and let the real supporters do exactly that, support. I find it distasteful that you enjoy earning a living by criticising something you claim to support. Maybe some of the blame for what is going on should be laid at your door. Maybe if you weren’t so divisive in your actions and commentary then there wouldn’t be such a polarisation within our fan base….but then without your kind of speculation and negativity you wouldn’t get any comments or earn the living you have managed to carve out since Hughie passed. SHAME ON YOU. Maybe an attempt at being a better human and supporter might change my opinion, but only if your articles reflect it as well. Stop being such a whinging Bia*ch and take some responsibility for the things you say, so basically start acting like more a grown up instead of a gossip!