Graham Potter comes out fighting after West Ham board threat and puts everyone on notice. West Ham fans have been waiting to see some fire and passion from Graham Potter – and now they have it. Graham Potter has already been accused of being a ‘yes man’ for West Ham’s owners.
West Ham cynics are always uncomfortable with the fact David Sullivan and the club’s board do not pay compensation to go after managers, preferring instead o employ someone out of work.
Just like Potter had been for 20 months before West Ham appointed him in January. Potter gets first taste of West Ham pressure. Supporters have been somewhat underwhelmed by Potter’s impact in east London thus far.
Just three wins and 10 goals in 11 games have raised red flags. Potter has come across as a bit too nice and forgiving of mediocrity since arriving at West Ham.
After the defeat to Wolves in midweek, Potter finds himself under pressure for the first time. Some supporters have labelled him ‘Graham Lopetegui’.
Other more rational fans insist they won’t be judging Potter until next season.
Potter comes out fighting after West Ham board threat. Apologetic Potter has been pleading for time already at West Ham.
After his unconvincing start to life at the London Stadium, a report emerged this week claiming West Ham have included a break clause in Potter’s contract.
The source of the leak, Claret and Hugh, has close links to West Ham’s board.
It is claimed West Ham can terminate the manager’s two-and-a-half-year contract a year early if they so wish.
Now Potter has come out fighting after a West Ham board threat and he has put everyone on notice.
The Hammers boss has responded to his contract break clause being leaked by effectively warning his under-performing stars they won’t take him down with them like they did Lopetegui.
In a bullish statement of intent and ambition, Potter has showed the kind of passion West Ham fans have been desperate to hear.
Potter has told his players he has big plans for the club and they either buck up their performances or they will be replaced. Hammers boss puts everyone on notice. “You can’t play for West Ham and throw games away, it’s impossible,” Potter told the PA news agency.
“Every game is massive for us…
“I would say we are some way off, for sure. In the end we want to control games and dominate games through attacking football, and we are far from that.
“When you understand where we’ve come from and what the bigger picture is, it’s a bit more understandable. But at the same time we have to acknowledge we’ve got a lot of work to do.
“We’ll need to carry on improving daily, and then see how we can improve the team in the next transfer window, and keep taking steps. But with the ambition I have for this football club, we are some way off from where that is.
‘Shape up or be replaced’ Potter warns Hammers
“We haven’t managed to do it as much as we’d have liked and at every club there is a window of opportunity that you can look to adjust the squad. That can help you on the journey you want to take. I’m really excited about what we can achieve here.
“Results aren’t as good as we’d like and if there’s criticism you have to accept it. That’s the life of a professional footballer, the life of a Premier League player. You’re always playing to prove yourself, to be on the journey and take the next steps. Clearly we want to take the right decisions in terms of going forward.”
How’s that for a response to the thinly veiled board threat with the contract break leak.
Potter has shown his teeth for the first time and West Ham fans will absolutely love it.
His words will give supporters a much-needed spark. They should light a fire under his players too. Too many have been woefully under par all season.
This is the wake-up call they have needed for some time. Now it will become clear which of those players want to fight to remain part of this great club or fall by the wayside of Potter’s big summer rebuild.
