The love-in between West Ham and their former boss David Moyes continues as he delivers his verdict on Graham Potter.
Those who warned West Ham to be careful what they wish for over David Moyes have had plenty of vindication in the last year.
That’s no fault of West Ham fans, though.
After all it was not the Hammers faithful who wanted Julen Lopetegui as Moyes’ successor.
Quite the opposite in fact.
West Ham fans made it perfectly clear to David Sullivan and co they didn’t think Lopetegui was the right man for the job.
Supporters craved a younger, more modern boss focused on possession and improving the team’s style of play.
Someone like Graham Potter.
Sullivan and co pressed ahead with Lopetegui’s appointment, though.
His record and the mess the Spaniard and Tim Steidten left behind suggest West Ham fans certainly know their football.
The Hammers got there in the end by appointing Potter as Lopetegui’s replacement.
West Ham fan murmurs amid Potter’s inauspicious start
The Englishman has actually apologised for failing to make a greater impact on West Ham’s attacking play in his two months at the helm.
Potter blamed Lopetegui for the delay, saying he needed to address the defensive woes as a top priority before focusing on the attack.
Performances under Potter have not been overly exciting thus far.
There have been glimpses of what West Ham might be if and when he moulds the team around his own players.
But there have also been critics with the Hammers scoring just one goal per game under their new boss.
In some ways, Moyes could be forgiven for revelling in West Ham’s struggles since his departure.
Although those who follow the club know as well as he does that the malaise started on his watch.
Moyes thinks West Ham on to a winner with Potter
The 61-year-old conducted himself with pure class around his big reunion with the Hammers, though.
Moyes refused to take the bait for a dig at West Ham before the game.
West Ham fans showed Moyes what they really think of him during the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park and his response was telling.
There have been murmurings from some West Ham fans already about Potter and the style of play.
Paul Merson has even criticised Hammers fans, saying they are making things difficult for Potter and the players in home games.
Moyes knows all about murmurings from West Ham fans.
But he thinks West Ham are on to a winner with Potter for one key reason.
Moyes clearly sees some of himself in Potter
Because he’s just like him.
When Moyes returned to West Ham for a second spell in 2020, he famously declared ‘if you don’t run, you won’t play’.
While Potter’s approach has not been as black and white as that, he too has been emphasising the importance of playing as a team and working harder for one another.
Moyes prioritised getting the defence right and building from a solid foundation when he came back.
The last time Moyes watched West Ham before taking over at Everton was the first game of 2025 at Man City.
Moyes was in the stands to watch his old side at the Etihad in what turned out to be Lopetegui’s final game.
Speculation was already rife the Spaniard was going to be sacked.
Moyes’ appearance at the game sparked rumours he could be set for a third spell at West Ham.
But the Hammers quickly ruled that out and went on to appoint Potter with Moyes being unveiled by Everton a day later.
On that day Moyes saw West Ham well beaten 4-1.
He went on to remark in interviews that he was saddened to see some of his hard work undone in ridding the club of its soft underbelly.
Now, having faced Potter’s work-in-progress West Ham, Moyes was seriously impressed.
“I think Graham Potter has been talking a lot about how they’re trying to stop conceding goals,” Moyes said.
“They were much stronger (than when I saw them at Man City under Lopetegui).
“West Ham were much harder to play against today, there was not much room to run behind them.”
Defence justifiably prioritised but Hammers attack must improve
For Moyes to praise an opposition’s defending is some compliment given how he prides himself on defensive organisation as a key fundamental in his teams.
West Ham fans may not be overly impressed with their side’s attacking play under Potter so far.
But if he is impressing Moyes with the foundations he is putting in then that can only bode well for what’s to come.
The key now will be the board backing Potter to bring in his own players.
The prospect of that has looked bleak of late with West Ham setting the scene for a difficult summer window.
However, journalist David Ornstein has an exciting update on West Ham’s transfer plans which will allay any fears.
If he is backed with signings, there is no hiding the fact expectations will rise to see West Ham perform much better as an attacking outfit next season.
