“West Ham is not a club that panics over its managers. We stick with them, support them, and see things through,” said vice-chair Karren Brady after the 3-0 loss to newly promoted Sunderland.
Fans and the club hierarchy expected a strong response against Chelsea on Friday, but instead, West Ham suffered a 5-1 thrashing at home. Boos greeted the final whistle, although many supporters had left long before the match ended.
No manager should face serious pressure after just two games, yet Potter’s team has disappointed, and his record since taking over in January is hard to defend. He has won five of 21 games, and after conceding three against Sunderland, West Ham allowed eight goals in their first two top-flight games for the first time in history.
Potter also became the first West Ham manager in Premier League history to fail to reach double-digit points in his first ten home games, earning only nine from two wins, three draws, and five losses.
The former Brighton and Chelsea boss acknowledged the team’s need for improvement. “We’ve played two matches and conceded eight goals. There is no getting away from that. We must drastically improve,” he said.
Brutal experience – what is wrong with West Ham?
West Ham strengthened the squad over the summer, signing full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, and former Newcastle striker Callum Wilson. Despite these additions, the team shows little improvement on the pitch.
Defensively, West Ham struggles from set-pieces, conceding three of the five goals against Chelsea from corners, with Hermansen responsible for two. Captain Jarrod Bowen told Sky Sports that the team feels frustrated. “Fuming. Disappointing. We conceded eight goals in two games and haven’t picked up a point. The goals came cheaply. We gave them away,” he said.
Former West Ham and Chelsea goalkeeper Rob Green said on Sky Sports: “The goals they concede and the energy on the pitch are far from good enough. It’s a brutal experience to sit through these results.”
Are the Hammers heading for a relegation battle?
It is too early to claim West Ham faces relegation, but fans are worried. With one goal scored and eight conceded, the team struggles to score while letting in too many goals.
Next, West Ham travels to Nottingham Forest, followed by London derbies against Tottenham and Crystal Palace. All three matches will test Potter’s side, requiring significant improvement.
Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sports: “If I’m Sunderland, Burnley, or Leeds, I’d see West Ham as the weakest Premier League team. Their squad lacks quality, the midfield doesn’t have the legs, and they need reinforcements.”
New signings could help a low-confidence squad, but Potter did not promise any before the transfer window closes on September 1. “It would be obtuse to speak about signings when we must improve with what we have,” he said. “We will look to strengthen while the window is open.”
Potter admits he faces pressure. How the team performs on the pitch and in the transfer market will shape his future. “You are under pressure in these jobs. I understand the consequences of poor results and accept my responsibility,” he added.
