FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out, is a funny old thing. It’s that desire to have something we wouldn’t ordinarily want, but the idea of someone else getting it first suddenly makes it far more desirable.
You can probably see where I’m heading with this because I do believe West Ham have Graham Potter FOMO.
Looking back to last year, Potter was floated as a candidate to replace David Moyes when the Scotsman was hanging by a thread at West Ham. My old mate Hughie spoke to a top source at the London Stadium to ask if Potter was being seriously considered. The answer was a clear no.
The insider was concerned that Potter’s best work had come under Dan Ashworth and Tony Bloom at Brighton. The West Ham hierarchy were convinced Brighton’s meteoric rise was down to their ownership and structure rather than Potter’s coaching ability.
Fast forward less than a year, and suddenly Potter is leading the race to replace Julen Lopetegui in the Hammers’ hot seat. I’m not sure why. His reputation hasn’t been enhanced since he left Chelsea, where his stint was, let’s face it, a failure.
So, why the change of heart?
Perhaps it’s because the club’s budget is tighter than ever and we’re skint. Maybe our top targets have already turned us down. Or is it simply that we’re scared Wolves will pinch him first?
It’s possible FOMO has kicked in. The thought of one of our rivals snagging an available manager might be too much for the board to bear. Perhaps they’re so petrified of seeing Potter in the Wolves dugout that he suddenly seems more appealing.
Then again, maybe he’s already had an interview and impressed. Now, where have I heard that before?
I think you are correct. But, I’m not sure that Potter is the right man. Brighton are, & were under him, impressive. Some of that was down to him & some of it is due to their very impressive organisation. One thing is for certain; we have to find the right man this time.
And, it is not enough to simply choose a “big name” manager. Let us be certain to get someone who really knows what he is doing !
It would sum up Sullivan perfectly if he did a 180 on Potter after deciding he was not the man to replace Moyes in the summer to then appoint him!
No vision, strategy and always reactive rather than the progressive business plan required to succeed.
Westham have 24 matches to turn around their current relegation form and Potter took more than a season at Brighton and never did at Chelsea . An unfair gamble for all concerned as there’s nothing to suggest that Potter could succeed in such a short time . A pragmatic decision is required to negate the possibility of relegation . Steidten as DoF must be allowed to do his job otherwise why bother having a Dof at all . In football matters Sullivan is a clown and so must be removed from that by the only man that can stop him , Daniel Kretinsky .
Phil, Kretinsky is a very shrewd businessman.
Simon Jordan’s words ages ago about a previous takeover of a different Premiership club still resonates with me.
Most takeovers occur when that club is at their lowest point and more affordable. Kretinsky waited until Royal Mail were desperate and then made his move. Could he be waiting until the end of the season to buy out Sullivan? 🤔
Not sure anyone would have been successful at Chelsea at that time to be honest. I think it was a poisoned chalice back then.
Maresca has proved this theory wrong by turning around the chaos Chelsea had in the summer.
No previous Premiership experience, no stellar CV, but very much the progressive type of coach that fitted the strategy of young players.
We could have Potter and Ashworth now.
Given the knives seem to be out for Steidten, might that be the direction we go?
Potter and Ashworth were not responsible for the success Brighton had in the transfer market.
Brighton have continued and improved since both left, by appointing progressives in De Zerbi and Hurzeler.
We really missed out by not hiring Hurzeler. He is very impressive, speaks clearly and concisely, sets up his teams to attack and is aligned with the recruitment infrastructure.
Brighton have a data driven recruitment team. Similar to what we already have at West Ham with Steidten and his brother.
The difference is Tony Bloom the Brighton owner trusts his Director of Football and Recruitment team to hire coaches and buy players in a cohesive manner.
You keep saying we are skint Gonzo.Please explain ?
We’re always reported as being skint before going into any transfer window. It’s a managing expectations piece.
So true!
I do think we will add a couple of players but they maybe loan options with the current uncertainty at the club.