‘The midfield that cannot run’ was created by Lopetegui and Steidten a year ago and failed to shield the defence or provide creativity and pace in transition going forward. So the preponderance of ‘side-side-back football’ evolved and West Ham stopped scoring goals as a result.
The likely sale of Guido Rodriguez – plus rumours of Tomas Soucek heading off to Merseyside and Edson Alvarez up for sale as well means that combined with Carlos Soler’s loan ending, West Ham are tearing down and starting again in the middle of the pitch.
Ward Prowse remains – probably solely because nobody will offer even half what was paid for him – and Lucas Paquetá has an enforced if hopefully temporary embargo whilst the FA sort themselves out.
So the midfield is being revamped. Full of reports concerning a never-ending stream of young, fast, aggressive talent, the latest t0 be linked by the Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg this week is Middlesboro’s Hayden Hackney. No stranger to media speculation, Hackney was tipped for the Premier League back in 2024 when TBRfootball.com featured him in their article ‘Championship Players ready for the Premier League‘, describing him as:
“Another young midfielder with both purpose and poise. And another with plenty of Premier League admirers”, suggesting even then his talent had earmarked him for the top level. Hackney would provide all that has been missing from West Ham’s midfield last season, acting as a deep-lying midfielder who initiates forward runs and passes, whilst still winning possession back than any other ‘Boro player last season.
Dynamic and at 22, perfect for a West Ham rebuild. Hackney, Sydie Peck, Raphael Onyedika, Richard Rios, Chris Rigg, Yunus Musah – the list goes on. Like all Hammers fans, we’ll wait for one or two to be pictured holding the shirt before celebrating the Potter revolution.
“we’ll wait for one or two to be pictured holding the shirt before celebrating the Potter revolution.”
We could be in for a very long wait then. 🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱😴😴😴😴😴😴
We should actually keep Souchek, he is handy for those goals we actually need that come form nowhere else
Potter should go first get a manager in then buy a younger fitter team
Am I the only one who wouldn’t want to see a midfield that consists of Potts, Earthy & Orford. Why spend loads of money, buying other clubs youngsters, when we can develop our own. All these 3 players, know each others game inside out & can they really do much worse than our midfield from last season. Be bold Potter & give these boys a chance to show what they can do.
Earthy and Potts definitely deserve a place in the squad and maybe some starts. Not sure Orford is ready yet, a good season on loan in the championship will do him good.
@Val. I can’t understand why, in your first sentence, you say you wouldn’t want to see Potts, Earthy & Orford in midfield and then in your last sentence you are asking Potter to play them. I think you’ve lost the plot!
Long wait, then Martin !