Graham Potter sends David Sullivan a relegation wake-up call with West Ham actions…
They say actions speak louder than words and Graham Potter will certainly be hoping that’s the case as he sends West Ham chief David Sullivan a relegation wake-up call.
West Ham will embark on a new Premier League season in less than three weeks and the club’s dismal regression over the last 18 months means many are tipping them to struggle against relegation.
Paul Merson believes the newly-promoted teams will be confident of finishing above West Ham.
Darren Ambrose and Tony Cascarino both think the Hammers are contenders for the drop too.
Traditionally West Ham tend to do better when written off.
The Hammers have always been a club which relishes the underdog tag.
On the flip side, when West Ham are expected to do well – as they were last season following a £155m spend – they don’t deliver.
David Moyes often talked about wanting West Ham to under-promise and over-deliver.
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Taking the claret and blue tinted spectacles off, it’s easy to see why journalists and pundits are downbeat about West Ham’s chances next season.
West Ham and Potter have it all to prove
The club has won just 15 of their last 57 Premier League games under Moyes, Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter.
West Ham’s decline started in January 2024 under Moyes and continued under Lopetegui.
But Potter’s record during his half-a-season in charge was even worse with just five wins from his 19 games.
A strong summer transfer window was needed to restore confidence and hope among the fanbase.
However, West Ham have insisted they must sell to buy due to PSR and as a result only two signings have arrived – both full-backs.
The club still has major issues to fix in midfield, up front and at the back, including signing a new goalkeeper.
West Ham head coach Graham Potter gives the thumbs up on the touchline
Photo by Vincent Carchietta/Getty Images
Hope that Potter would have new arrivals in early during the window evaporated long ago.
The first seven weeks of FIFA’s extended window were essentially wasted with no business taking place.
This weekend will be two weeks until the opening game of the new season at Sunderland and around five weeks until the window slams shut.
So the Hammers are playing catch-up now with their pursuit of targets to help change the trajectory of the club.
Many supporters are furious with the board, especially after Mohammed Kudus was sold to bitter rivals Spurs.
Potter sends Sullivan a relegation wake-up call
They want to see action in coming days and weeks.
So will the manager if he is expected to try and turn the club around.
And Potter issued a clear relegation wake-up call to David Sullivan with his actions in the US.
At least that’s what Hammers fans will hope the head coach is doing.
Because sending a message to Sullivan that West Ham need to make signings as soon as possible is the only explanation for Potter’s team selection.
Make no mistake, if West Ham play the midfield and defence that started the defeat to Man United in New York they will be in a relegation battle.
James Ward-Prowse and Guido Rodriguez struggle in West Ham’s pre-season defeat to Man United
Photo by Caean Couto/Manchester United via Getty Images
The midfield three of Guido Rodriguez, James Ward-Prowse and Tomas Soucek is nowhere near good enough to compete in the Premier League.
Slow, immobile and lacking in any craft, guile or real athleticism, it is one of the worst combinations of midfielders West Ham fans have seen.
Soucek has his limitations on the ball but he can be taken out of the assessment as he is one of West Ham’s most consistent and reliable performers.
Even against Man United Soucek got an assist.
Ward-Prowse and Rodriguez, though, are not good enough for the Premier League. Certainly not for a team with ambitions of finishing in the top half. It is as simple as that.
The defence still looks worryingly inept.
Max Kilman was roasted by Rasmus Hojlund. Neither he nor Jean-Clair Todibo are particularly good in the air.
Potter’s team selection was a cry for help
As for Nayef Aguerd and Konstantinos Mavropanos, they are both error-prone and have failed to convince in a West Ham shirt.
Up front, Niclas Fullkrug – who turns 33 next season and has never been the quickest or most mobile of strikers – has continued to prove West Ham must sign a new striker with pace and power.
By starting with the likes of Ward-Prowse, Rodriguez, Aguerd and Fullkrug, Potter was sending a clear message to Sullivan to get signings over the line.
Potter surely cannot believe Rodriguez and Ward-Prowse are West Ham starters.
Freddie Potts and Preston Fearon embarrassed them with their performances in the second half against the Red Devils.
Potter made his point with that starting XI against Man United and it will be fascinating to see what he does against Everton.
The world and its wife got to see how badly West Ham will struggle without investment before September 1st.
Now it’s up to Sullivan to avoid a potential disaster by backing the manager.
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