After the weekend we’ve all had as supporters, it is with some frustration, some disappointment and yes, a little excitement that we view unfolding events as West Ham’s crucial week begins.
I find myself torn between wanting the team to win on Saturday in the ‘must-winner’ against Everton thus hoping beleaguered Lopetegui and team get a win and three points: At the same time I’m longing for the ‘release’ from this feeling of drowning in the current brand of total chaos football which has no plan, no structure, no constancy and no solidity.
A drowning man reaches for any lifeboat – and today I’ve seen the re-surfacing of suggestions that former Brighton and Chelsea Manager Graham Potter could be such a ‘lifeboat’ for West Ham as he is both available and apparently shortlisted for the Hammers’ role should Lopetegui lope off.
Graham Potter is one of the ‘shortlisted’ possible replacements – apparently
I recalled Darren Bent on TalkSport putting Potter forward last month: “They got David Moyes. Not happy. Get him out. Lopetegui. Not happy with him. Get him out. Potter would be a good fit because he is a good coach. He must be waiting for something.”
Which on its own is not a comprehensive argument in favour.. Earlier in the year everyone from The Sun to The Express was linking Potter to West Ham. Last month it was thehardtacle.com linking both Potter and Tuchel. (That aged well).
I’m not sure: He’s ‘available’ and knows the Premier League. Whilst he can certainly coach to improve his players, he’d have virtually no transfer budget.
His style was regularly 3-4-2-1 with a lone attacker and a four-player midfield. Remember though his Brighton team constantly underperformed with expected goals. Good at the back though, ‘very ‘aggressive in terms of defensive actions in PL 2021/2, much of this came from counter pressing.” (coachesvoice.com).
His style was to grow ” A significant amount of attacking play coming down the flanks” – which would suit our wingers and cardboard midfield at the moment too. Too defensive? Right now the idea of a few clean sheets has its attractions compared to the minus six goal difference we presently have (largely thanks to putting four past Ipswich Town). Many voiced opinions last month upon reading that Potter was a bit too negative – but after what we’ve witnessed in the last three months I bet those opinions aren’t as divided any more!
Potter was renown for changing formation mid game and mid season – and that is a bit of a ‘red flag’ at present – the squad do seem to have been overwhelmed by Lopeteguis ‘ever evolving’ formations so perhaps a settled style would be better for The Irons just now. But that is probably me being short sighted.
Would Potter offer better than Lopetegui’s chaotic brand? Yes. Is he ideal? Put me down as an ‘undecided’ as yet but don’t underestimate the appeal to Sullivan of Potter being available with no multi – million compensation payment to make.
And we’d all be able to breathe a sign of relief at being able to fathom out what was said at press conferences again.
Graham Potter.
At Brighton it took a while for him to implement his vision.
1st season they finished 15th.
2nd season they finished 16th.
3rd season they finished 9th.
When he left for Chelsea they were in 4th place.
Clearly there was progress….but I don’t believe for a minute that our supporters would put up with 15th and then 16th in the first 2 seasons. We don’t have that. patience or trust anymore. There would be loud and vociferous calls to give him his marching orders.
It seems ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ no longer holds water.
The relative patience shown in the days of Greenwood and Lyall seem very far away from today’s desire for instant results.
I understand it…and who doesn’t want a team battling and defeating the ‘enemy’ ASAP?
But is instant success realistic for our club at the moment?
We cannot attract ( or afford ) TOP players.
Is there a realistically obtainable manager who will wave a tactical wand and all will be well?
It seems to me that the road forward will, for the next few years, be a combination of credible tactics from a coach with a vision…players with talent and a combination of youth and experience …and….a patient fan base…and…stability.
There will always be ‘flash in the pan’ clubs who reach dizzy heights before tailing off into a downward spiral…Ipswich being one example or for those who remember, clubs that spend their way towards the top…Leeds and in particular Blackburn…and then are consumed by their own financial bonfire.
Steady and stable progress has to be the way forwards for us…and the only way we will be able to show the patience required is if THE FOOTBALL IS ATTRACTIVE AND MAKES US PROUD …!!!
Graham Potter has a lower win percentage than Moyes so let’s hope if we get him we play attractive football to watch because we might not win as much.
I was under the impression Potter had an athletic, fast midfield. If I’m right, it is an immediate stumbling block on how he would want to play. Indeed, probably an issue for any coach wanting to play fast attacking or hard pressing football.
I had my doubts about Potter earlier But now given the current chaos I’d take him in a flash
After the whole 2024 what is needed firstly is some defensive organization which I think that he would bring
He changed a Chris Hughton Brighton into an entertaining side so I think he could do that with us too
Whatever coach we bring in will not have a transfer budget due to PSR so will have to work with the players that we have
Given the reservations now being expressed about Alvarez and the reservations that have always been expressed about Mavropanos and this season’s Fullkrug debacle we probably shoudl also be questioning Tim Steiden’s role
Grim times so COYI
Ever since Moyes was appointed the second time for us , I have always believed that Potter would of been a better appointment .
Now we all know why … unfortunately.
The Spaniard is not up to Premier standards obviously.
Potter , with his Brighton experience would be more welcomed at the LS .
His progressive, changeable, defensive and his ability to play our most skilful team we’ve had in years in their correct positions will propel us up the table where we thought we would be after a quarter of games played.
Come on you irons
Look it’s also true the players need to step up ! If the team ever read these things I would be saying :?come on your better than this , where’s the passion , fight , pressing energy and pride . Sort this out lads show them who we truly are , never say die attitude . Step up lads . Doesn’t matter who the manager is until we play as a united team . If we loose against Everton it will show us they don’t want to play for the manager and there’s something wrong.?if that’s the case Lopetegui should be fired immediately because it won’t change while he’s there . However come on lads ⚒ COYI
I’m not seeing any improvement and my fear is we deteriorate in the new year rather than improve.
I cannot see him lasting the season to be honest so I’m in the earlier is better than later camp.
If a new manager had us finish just three places higher we’d be money in on an early departure.