The simplicity of Graham Potter’s management style has been laid bare for all to see.
The new West Ham manager’s comments (reported by Martin this morning) about his deployment of Mohammed Kudus seem to have immediately cut through the confusion that plagued the player’s early-season form.
Shortly after Julen Lopetegui’s appointment, Kudus gave an interview expressing excitement about working with the Hammers’ new manager. At the time, his comments were interpreted as a jibe at outgoing boss David Moyes. However, on reflection, they appear to be the words of a player eager to play in his preferred position.
Kudus said: “I’m looking forward to playing under the new boss. I think he’s a trainer who knows how to coach right wingers.”
This telling observation went largely unnoticed during a period when West Ham were busily signing new players. Unfortunately for Kudus, the coaching he had anticipated never materialised. The Ghanaian was often deployed on the left wing—a position ill-suited to his attributes, effectively nullifying the threat of his explosive left-footed shooting. Opposition managers must have been delighted with this misuse of his talent.
So, it was heartening, to hear Potter address Kudus’ positioning so decisively after taking the reins at West Ham. Following the disappointing yet encouraging 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, Potter said:
“I was encouraged. Kudus played more centrally than he has done for a bit. He quite likes that central role to the right. He comes in on that left foot, and he’s a threat. He offers us a good option, absolutely.”
It all sounds so simple and offers a clear insight into just how far Lopetegui had been getting things wrong. While an FA Cup exit is far from ideal, I believe we’re about to see a version of Mohammed Kudus that more closely resembles the star we saw last season
