Potter Set to Leave One Hammer Very Frustrated Ahead of Newcastle Clash

West Ham manager Graham Potter has a very good problem ahead of tonight’s game against Newcastle United… which attacker to drop.

I have little doubt that the Brighton version of Potter would have found room for Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, Evan Ferguson, and Lucas Paquetá in his team. However, the Hammers incarnation of Potterball is a far more pragmatic and defensive tactic, which is why I think one of the above will be benched.

Not that I have any complaints, of course. West Ham’s new manager absolutely had to stop the rot in his inherited defence, and back-to-back victories and clean sheets are a step in the right direction.

I have little doubt that next season will see a far more expansive Irons team, but for now, I think he’ll play it safe and stick an extra workhorse in the team. That means one of the team’s big attackers will not start the game, and captain Jarrod Bowen is presumably safe from the drop.

Judging by Potter’s comments on Lucas Paquetá, I think it’s safe to assume he’ll start against Newcastle at the London Stadium, which makes it a straight shootout between Kudus and Ferguson.

I could be wrong, of course, and trying to second-guess a brand-new manager is never easy. But if I had to wager a pound on the outcome, I predict he’ll relegate the Brighton loanee to the bench again.

Either way, Potter is in the luxurious position of having choices, and with Niclas Füllkrug set to return soon, some might say too many options. All will be revealed before kick-off, but if the Hammers can get early goals, it could force Toon boss Eddie Howe to make early subs and start saving his players for the cup final