Graham Potter has been officially announced as West Ham United‘s new manager after Julen Lopetegui was dismissed. The Hammers are in dire form having won just two games in their last eight and with just one clean sheet to show for their efforts.
The club’s need to improve its fortunes and bring life to its faltering season made the decision to dissolve its ties with Lopetegui understandable.
Graham Potter is a familiar face known for his innovative tactical approach and transformative leadership who now comes with the huge challenge of steering the London club back to stability, and in the process, help the club chase higher ambitions.
With Potter’s managerial pedigree, and the context of West Ham’s current plight, there has been plenty of questions over how he can rejuvenate a disjointed team that has played so poorly.
In this article by Sports Buddy, we examine the recent woes of West Ham, what Graham Potter brings to the table as a manager, and how that could change the direction of West Ham’s future.
West Ham’s Poor Run of Form: A Season in Crisis
The season starts for West Ham with hopes of building on their previous campaign. But West Ham were underwhelming under Lopetegui, winning just six of 20 league games and drawing five as well as losing nine. Additionally, defensive vulnerabilities were exposed during this period, as the team conceded 39 goals.
Their struggles are epitomized by their last eight fixtures. What’s more, the team has only registered two wins in their last 8 games and scored only seven goals which has also led to the team conceding 13.
Woes have compounded with a lack of creativity in midfield and weakness in attack, with even talisman Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen not in form. Additionally, the side is missing any sort of defensive consistency as they have just one clean sheet in eight games.
This dip in form has seen the club dangerously close to the relegation zone and Lopetegui’s failure to guide his team back on track eventually saw him got sacked.
The low morale and shattered confidence made West Ham’s hierarchy desperate enough to sign Graham Potter in hopes that he can reinvigorate the squad.
What Does Graham Potter Brings to West Ham
West Ham welcome Graham Potter, who has a good reputation as one of the most tactically astute and progressive managers in English football. Potter enjoyed a good reputation during his time at Brighton & Hove Albion for transforming them into one of the Premier League’s most stylish and organized teams.
He also had a short stint at Chelsea though he couldn’t replicate his Brighton form there. But West Ham could definitely get a series of things from having Graham Porter as their manager.
Tactical Flexibility
Graham Potter is renown for his flexibility, usually switching formations and tactics depending on the strengths of his side and of the opposition.
Under Brighton he used systems such as a 3-4-3 and a 4-2-3-1, boasting fluidity of transition and positional rotation. This versatility is going to be hugely beneficial to West Ham, a team struggling with rigidity and predictability.
Focus on Development
Another hallmark of his managerial style is his ability to develop young talents and elevation of footballers’ potential after a poor run of form. He trained players such as Solly March, Leandro Trossard and Yves Bissouma.
Potter’s arrival would only make West Ham’s squad stronger with the promise of stars like Mohammad Kudus, Lucas Paquetá and Jarrod Bowen.
Defensive Organization
Graham Potter’s Brighton teams received plaudits for their attacking play but the teams also pride themselves on defensive discipline with pressing and cutting off passing options a strong suit. Under his watch, West Ham’s leaky defense will see much-needed change.
Positional Play and Ball Retention
Graham Potter still puts a strong emphasis on possession based football — building from the back — and on creating spaces in zones of the pitch that is important. It could help West Ham address their propensity to lose control of games and develop a more cohesive way of playing.
Where West Ham can improve with Potter
To implement his philosophy effectively, Potter will need to make some immediate changes:
Shoring Up the Defense
With West Ham’s backline conceding goals at an alarming rate, Graham Potter’s first task will be to tighten things up at the back. Adding in a more disciplined defensive structure and even going as far to play a three at the back could help steady the team.
Revitalizing the Attack
This season, Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen have underperformed. Potter’s structured attacking style and fluidity over structure, could reinvigorate them. Also, midfielders like Lucas Paquetá will be important in getting more goal contributions.
Instilling Confidence
Morale in the squad cannot be very high following a sequence of poor results. Potter’s reputation as a strong communicator and his proven ability to bring unity to teams will be critical in rebuilding confidence.
Optimizing Midfield Creativity
Often their midfield has looked separated from their attack. Potter’s possession-based will help bridge this gap, giving smoother transition and better ball progression.
Expectations under Potter this season
With West Ham occupying a precarious position, the main concern for Graham Potter will center around West Ham’s safety in the Premier League. But there’s hope, with nearly half of the season left.
Guiding West Ham onto a stable mid table position is within Potter’s tactical nous and motivational skills. Given this position, a 10th to 12th place finish would be solid.
Immediate results are key, but Potter’s legacy will also be judged by how he leaves the team to go on and sustain success in season two, three, four and beyond.
