West Ham are undergoing a root and branch transformation. As Tim Steidten plus his recruitment team along with Julen Lopetegui and his coaching staff departed the building in January, so the Graham Potter quiet revolution began.
New coaching teams, new recruitment teams, much has been done since Potter’s arrival in January. We can only guess how bad the training ground atmosphere was under his predecessor by looking at both the results on the pitch which were woeful, and the comments which newly ‘transformed’ players make on the Hammers’ metamorphosis.
Hammers’ latest debutant Ollie Scarles made it quite clear on whufc.com exactly what has changed. The article was produced in praise of Aaron Cresswell, Scarles’ mentor – but the most revealing comments appeared regarding the new management regime:
“He [Potter] has brought good energy [to the Club]. The manager and all his staff are really positive, and I’ve got such a good relationship with all of them, and it’s just brought a good vibe to the training ground. You can feel it at the training ground and when we play.”
How bad things were – who knows. Potter has obviously taken Scarles under his wing and the one to one development which was obviously lacking under Lopetegui has paid dividends:
“He’s [Graham Potter] really influenced my style of play and has told me to be me because I’m training well and playing well in the minutes I’m getting.” Exactly the coaching which has tempted Evan Ferguson to come on a loan deal to work with Potter – hopefully the first of many through the door this year who appreciate the ability to work with West Ham’s newly transformed coaching regime.
Full integration of first team and academy players will yield many positives for Westham . Finally Westham have a capable , pragmatic and intelligent coach who can make the best out of what Westham have . Looking forward to a bunch of academy players growing and coming through to the first team in the seasons to come .
we have 2 outstanding young players to also integrate next season George Earthy and Freddie Potts so before we consider splashing any cash (if we have any) we should involve them in any future plans.
20 years ago I saw a short bit of a TV drama based on a top flight footy team. It didn´t hold my attention so I didn´t watch all of it but the part I saw dramatised the psychological bullying of the young players by the senior pros who felt threatened that the youngsters might take their place in the 1st team. I don´t know how plausible that was or whether things might have improved in the last 20 years.
Assuming that it´s not like that now, it might be worthwhile asking Academy players to join the Senior Squad in training for a week at a time irrespective of whether or not they are stand out performers in U18 or U21´s. If done on a rotation basis it would give all Academy players an insight in to the levels of dedication needed to be a top player which they would then hopefully emulate on their return to their age group squad.
At the same time it would give the 1st team coaches a chance to observe emerging talent and give some feedback to the youth team coaches on what aspects to work on developing the younger players.