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.
