Graham Potter

[stubbo]

https://www.whufc.com/news/graham-potte ... head-coach

​​​​​​In the past he's favoured a 3-4-3 formation...hard to see how we can do that currently with only 3 senior CBs, one of whom is injured. He's also played wingers (Solly March as an example) in the wing back roles.

Typically when a 3-4-3 gets announced on a match day the manager is immediately described as being too negative, too cautious etc. I guess it depends on the composition of the 4.

He's given young players chances...hopefully that continues at West Ham.

Welcome Graham.

 

[BRANDED]

Not exactly getting results is he? 
9 goals conceded
4 points from 12
Out of the FA cup

Sure, at times it was prettier on the eye.
Sure we have injuries and problems.

 

[simons]

I think we’ve got the new 2.0 model of Potter, which I like the look and sound of, not the meek version I remember at Brighton, or the bewildered one at Chelsea. Looks like he has a bit more about him now, and I’d imagine he’d love nothing more than to stick it to those cunts on Monday night. 



 

[Mad Ferret]

Rossal will be absolutely perplexed that another manager rates Soucek.

[Russ of the BML]

I had a feeling he’d like Soucek and really rely on him short term, but I didn’t know about this. 

Say what you like about Tommy’s skills with the ball at his feet but the guy is a model pro. 

Soucek can take his game to another level under Potter. More possession. Soucek is going to have to improve on his retention and distribution. But i do think that Soucek has been one of the most improved players since Conference win. 

[El Scorchio]

I had a feeling he’d like Soucek and really rely on him short term, but I didn’t know about this. 

Say what you like about Tommy’s skills with the ball at his feet but the guy is a model pro. 

[Manuel]

He's a big fan of Soucek 

Graham Potter has revealed he tried to sign Tomas Soucek when he was Brighton manager.The Czech midfielder joined West Ham from Slavia Prague on an initial loan in January 2020, with the move made permanent for around £19million that summer. Potter, Brighton manager from 2019 to 2022, is now Soucek’s head coach at West Ham but has recalled the time the Seagulls tried to convince the 29-year-old to join Brighton.

Soucek has gone on to become a fan’s favourite at West Ham, celebrating five years at the club on Wednesday. In that time, he has scored 37 goals and registered 12 assists in 231 matches for the Hammers.“ He gives his best every single day, and gives his best in the games,” Potter said. “He’s a dream in that regard.“ We actually tried to sign him at Brighton, so I know him well,” he added, though he was unwilling to confirm whether he had spoken to Soucek personally about joining the Seagulls.“

I think he's been great. The five years he's been here have been a real success for him personally. He can help you in both boxes.“His quality is incredible at that. He covers the ground, plays the role the team needs, has played as the defensive one, has played as the attacking one. He's adaptable in that midfield position. He’s been fantastic to work with.”

[Sir Alf]

Agree Russ and Murphy is nit always someone I agree with but “nails it” when talking about coaches and their egos.  Moyes and BFS and Lopetegui suffered from this it would seem. 

[Russ of the BML]

We went to Villa park with a load of injuries, but had more possession and should have won. Pretty much says it all. With players coming back, new faces in (even if it's the summer) and youth getting a chance, we can all be very optimistic IMO with Potter at the helm.

Agree with that. I do feel optimistic. 

[Russ of the BML]

The lads ( nerds ) on Analytics United are well worth a listen to. They understand their football albeit it is a very technical discussion but they are right to conclude that the change under Potter in 2 and a half weeks is remarkable.  Being a master of “use 50 words when 1 will do” myself I naturally like their long windedness but some great insights. But what they are essentially saying is Lopetegui and Moyes, BFS etc try to fit players to a rigid system without being mindful enough of their capabilities or strengths and weaknesses.  The proverbial Plan A with no plan B.

Potter is much more flexible and adjusts systems, gives players flexibility to do their own thing (strengths) within a system and makes sure everyone knows its about 11 players making it work and not relying on 2 or 3 individuals.  He has Plan B, C and D which are often tweaks to his sysyem or tactics to fit the players available.  

Still very early days but it does feel and look like Potter is a good fit for us. His biggest challenge as with all managers at West Ham is overcoming the interference and disruption that Sullivan causes.

I was listening to TS a few weeks ago and they were discussing the ego of coaches / managers. They used Kompany as an example where it was just a case of him saying 'this is my style' and I won't change for anyone - Even though Burnley gave away almost 17 goals from playing out from the back that season and he just refused to budge. 

Danny Murphy made a great comment on this and said "Its all well and good coaches having a certain style and way of playing - But they have to be able to adapt to situations and circumstances. If you ask most coaches what their style is they will tell you - But for me, a coach, when asked that question, should always say 'what's the squad I am coaching'. Because if they don't say that then that proves they are coaching for their own ends and not the players and the clubs. It's selfish."

I make him 100% right. 

[Manuel]

We went to Villa park with a load of injuries, but had more possession and should have won. Pretty much says it all. With players coming back, new faces in (even if it's the summer) and youth getting a chance, we can all be very optimistic IMO with Potter at the helm.

[Sir Alf]

The lads ( nerds ) on Analytics United are well worth a listen to. They understand their football albeit it is a very technical discussion but they are right to conclude that the change under Potter in 2 and a half weeks is remarkable.  Being a master of “use 50 words when 1 will do” myself I naturally like their long windedness but some great insights. But what they are essentially saying is Lopetegui and Moyes, BFS etc try to fit players to a rigid system without being mindful enough of their capabilities or strengths and weaknesses.  The proverbial Plan A with no plan B.

Potter is much more flexible and adjusts systems, gives players flexibility to do their own thing (strengths) within a system and makes sure everyone knows its about 11 players making it work and not relying on 2 or 3 individuals.  He has Plan B, C and D which are often tweaks to his sysyem or tactics to fit the players available.  

Still very early days but it does feel and look like Potter is a good fit for us. His biggest challenge as with all managers at West Ham is overcoming the interference and disruption that Sullivan causes.

[Takashi Miike]

[Pub Bigot]

What do people think we can achieve with Potter?

- Challenging for Cups/winning Cups

- Challenging for Top 4 qualification 

- Qualify for Europa/Conference League

- Top 10 finishes

He's started well overall I think, so interested to see what's to be expected of him going forward that's acceptable to us. 

Any successful team has a strategy for short, medium and long term success, so if we're to fit into any or all of those categories there needs to be an agreed strategy that all departments buy into, based on what's achievable now, in the medium term and long term turning that into success. 

As others have mentioned, the real issue is at board level. Where is the leadership to work towards making goals a reality, because from the outside looking in, everything the club does is haphazard, and overly reliant on the first-team manager to make the club tick. 

Until Sullivan is ready to stand aside, or until the board with their combined controlling stake take the reins off him, we'll plod along with the minimum being survival and anything else a bonus. And I tell you why I believe that to be the case - the only time we see decisive action from the board is when something catastrophic could happen. They're not exactly busting a gut to get new faces through the door to support Potter, as the board/Sullivan are satisfied that Potter can work with what he has for the rest of the season, and if it all goes wrong he'll be the scapegoat. 

[Far Cough UKunt]

Hasn't Pep resorted to "Allardyce ball"?

[scott_d]

One thing I liked about these games recently is we don't look like we are hanging on for dear life.
The problem with counter attack /low block football is you get very few opportunities but you have to deal with wave after wave of attacks. It's draining to watch and must be even more draining to play. You have so little ability to dictate the game.

Whereas now, with increased possession it's just easier on the eye and looks a lot more enjoyable for the players themselves. It's just a more sustainable way to play football in the long run.

No doubt Moyes at Everton will get the results he needs. But it just doesnt scale. I've never seen a team consistently play like that and not get undone eventually. 

 

Agree, but not only is it draining, it's just so negative.

I get why you might do that against teams who are smashing everyone and are known to have such high posession rate.  There is a good chance you won't see the ball much so you need to be able to withstand pressure and counter effectively because no matter how positive you are, if you're up against a well-oiled machine who always dominate possession then a team like West Ham will always be on the back foot.  I can swallow that.

It's when you play the same tactics against the bottom 3 teams in the PL.  It's a complete lack of faith in your players' ability to outplay a shitty, out-of-form, low-in-confidence championship-bound team and what's worse, you concede possession it give your opposition confidence because they are dictating the pace of the game.

I'm not necessarily against the tactic entirely, I'm just against it when it's your go-to play regardless of the opposition and venue.

[El Scorchio]

One thing I liked about these games recently is we don't look like we are hanging on for dear life.
The problem with counter attack /low block football is you get very few opportunities but you have to deal with wave after wave of attacks. It's draining to watch and must be even more draining to play. You have so little ability to dictate the game.

Whereas now, with increased possession it's just easier on the eye and looks a lot more enjoyable for the players themselves. It's just a more sustainable way to play football in the long run.

No doubt Moyes at Everton will get the results he needs. But it just doesnt scale. I've never seen a team consistently play like that and not get undone eventually. 

 

Totally agree- we were stronger at the end. Making them work and tiring them out rather than just holding on grimly for 1-1. Being aggressive and positive puts you in the driving seat. We looked fitter than we have done. And defintely re moyes. When you're in desperation mode and just need results, then he's a tonic with his efficient pragmatic football and it's good enough to just see wins coming from a very low base, but then when you yearn for more, to dictate games and impose your will, that's what he can't do or at least struggled hugely to do with us (maybe because of the players he'd brought in) we needed to progress and we couldn't with him. No hard feelings toward him at all. He got us out of a huge hole twice and largely stabilised things, but in the end we just started to want and need something different. We should have parted with a handshake after Prague.

[threesixty]

One thing I liked about these games recently is we don't look like we are hanging on for dear life.
The problem with counter attack /low block football is you get very few opportunities but you have to deal with wave after wave of attacks. It's draining to watch and must be even more draining to play. You have so little ability to dictate the game.

Whereas now, with increased possession it's just easier on the eye and looks a lot more enjoyable for the players themselves. It's just a more sustainable way to play football in the long run.

No doubt Moyes at Everton will get the results he needs. But it just doesnt scale. I've never seen a team consistently play like that and not get undone eventually. 
 

[El Scorchio]

Sadly I think your point 3 feels like fantasy at the moment. Last night's result with such a patchwork side will have appealed to Sullivan's cheapskate tendencies and proclivity to keep his wallet shut.

I reckon we might get a centre back- depending on what the situation with Todibo actually is. I reckon we might get a striker, but I think if we do, both will be Ings type journeymen jumble sale buys off Sullivan's contact list. If so, we can only hope they are loans to the end of the season with no further obligation but my gut tells me of course his buddies are going to want 2-3 year deals for their clients and Sullivan will bend over regardless of his manager's wants and needs.

I wouldn't be against just a competent big lump to the end of the season. Just someone to put themselves about with presence, hold the ball up and bring others into play. We already have goals in the team. Someone like Wieghorst who can occupy space, give us 6-7/10 performances and put the good players into a position to shine. Then say thank you and off you go at the end of the season while we look for our long term solution in the position. And just someone with a little pace who isn't a liability at the back on the same terms. Ideally youngish and if they show promise we could nab them.

100% - And if we don't add players I wouldn't be pointing at Potter. 

Me either. I already feel he’s being quite shrewd in what he’s saying about transfers when asked. I don’t think he thinks we are getting anyone apart from maybe a ‘gift’ from the chairman. 

[Russ of the BML]

Sadly I think your point 3 feels like fantasy at the moment. Last night's result with such a patchwork side will have appealed to Sullivan's cheapskate tendencies and proclivity to keep his wallet shut.

I reckon we might get a centre back- depending on what the situation with Todibo actually is. I reckon we might get a striker, but I think if we do, both will be Ings type journeymen jumble sale buys off Sullivan's contact list. If so, we can only hope they are loans to the end of the season with no further obligation but my gut tells me of course his buddies are going to want 2-3 year deals for their clients and Sullivan will bend over regardless of his manager's wants and needs.

I wouldn't be against just a competent big lump to the end of the season. Just someone to put themselves about with presence, hold the ball up and bring others into play. We already have goals in the team. Someone like Wieghorst who can occupy space, give us 6-7/10 performances and put the good players into a position to shine. Then say thank you and off you go at the end of the season while we look for our long term solution in the position. And just someone with a little pace who isn't a liability at the back on the same terms. Ideally youngish and if they show promise we could nab them.

100% - And if we don't add players I wouldn't be pointing at Potter. 

[El Scorchio]

Sadly I think your point 3 feels like fantasy at the moment. Last night's result with such a patchwork side will have appealed to Sullivan's cheapskate tendencies and proclivity to keep his wallet shut.

I reckon we might get a centre back- depending on what the situation with Todibo actually is. I reckon we might get a striker, but I think if we do, both will be Ings type journeymen jumble sale buys off Sullivan's contact list. If so, we can only hope they are loans to the end of the season with no further obligation but my gut tells me of course his buddies are going to want 2-3 year deals for their clients and Sullivan will bend over regardless of his manager's wants and needs.

I wouldn't be against just a competent big lump to the end of the season. Just someone to put themselves about with presence, hold the ball up and bring others into play. We already have goals in the team. Someone like Wieghorst who can occupy space, give us 6-7/10 performances and put the good players into a position to shine. Then say thank you and off you go at the end of the season while we look for our long term solution in the position. And just someone with a little pace who isn't a liability at the back on the same terms. Ideally youngish and if they show promise we could nab them.

[Russ of the BML]

What do people think we can achieve with Potter?

- Challenging for Cups/winning Cups

- Challenging for Top 4 qualification 

- Qualify for Europa/Conference League

- Top 10 finishes

He's started well overall I think, so interested to see what's to be expected of him going forward that's acceptable to us. 

Well, what do you think we can achieve from any new manager at West Ham? 

You 'hope' for the whole lot - But 'expectancy' is different. 

For me - Short term - 1) I expect us to look more organised, hard to beat, committed and playing decisive possession based football. 2) I expect him to utilise the youth players much better and integrate more players to first team. 3) I expect him to get two or three players in this window that are pretty much match ready and improve the first team. 

I think in general he has to a degree 1 and 2. If he achieves 3 we will see but is more as to whether the insidious little fat cսnt is prepared to back him. 

Long term I expect us to be challenging for cups and qualifying for Europa / Conference League. And by long term I mean next season. As for winning cups, well, you need alot of luck to win a cup and so you can't guaruntee a cup, as long as we give it a good go. 

Top four? I doubt that and don't expect that. But confident that Potter can achieve my other expectations. 

[El Scorchio]

Yes Scorch, my guess is that Sullivan, based on his small man/narcissistic psychology, would likely prefer a coach or manager that is not too popular as his priority is and always has been for him to get credit for the club progressing. But his actions and self interest in growing his personal wealth has always put the fans second so he makes himself unpopular. He has made transfer funds available ( not as much as he could but healthy enough ) and he does want the club to do well on the pitch but this need for personal kudos ( not to be confused with Kudus ) always undermines everything he does. Involving himself in recruitment of players and coaches to keep his cartel of agent mates happy and retain control of everything. He cant help himself.  

Potter will be helped with backing but it will fall short of what is needed and/or be compromised by being diluted by including players Sullivan and his agent mates recruit that Potter doesnt want or are not their first choices.  Thats what he’s always done. 

Totally agree. I don't think he likes a coach being too popular and taking too much shine away from him when things are going well. There;s a clear need for him to be the one getting the glory when things are going well I think he HATED it when we were all praising Bilic that one season rather than him. Then I suspect he loved it when things started going tits for Bilic and no doubt he wasn't exactly moving heaven and earth to help his manager turn things round. Just started spreading his shit.

Potter will be supported to a point. Sullivan won't be able to resist wanting some reflected glory and will start meddling, or start needling away at things. You'd think there would be satisfaction enough in making what could be a brilliant hire and letting him get on with it unencumbered.

[Sir Alf]

Yes Scorch, my guess is that Sullivan, based on his small man/narcissistic psychology, would likely prefer a coach or manager that is not too popular as his priority is and always has been for him to get credit for the club progressing. But his actions and self interest in growing his personal wealth has always put the fans second so he makes himself unpopular. He has made transfer funds available ( not as much as he could but healthy enough ) and he does want the club to do well on the pitch but this need for personal kudos ( not to be confused with Kudus ) always undermines everything he does. Involving himself in recruitment of players and coaches to keep his cartel of agent mates happy and retain control of everything. He cant help himself.  

Potter will be helped with backing but it will fall short of what is needed and/or be compromised by being diluted by including players Sullivan and his agent mates recruit that Potter doesnt want or are not their first choices.  Thats what he’s always done. 

[zico]

Biggest thing I took from it was when it was 1-1 and Potter brought on Ings and Scarles, and I thought bloody hell we are going for it.  That would have been two centre backs coming on if it had been Moyes, even if he hadn't had the centre backs to come on!  Whislt we clearly lack pace the lines were so mcuh better after the first 15 minutes so the closing down and teamwork was better.  Actually enjoyed the performance which makes a change.

[El Scorchio]

What do people think we can achieve with Potter?

- Challenging for Cups/winning Cups

- Challenging for Top 4 qualification 

- Qualify for Europa/Conference League

- Top 10 finishes

He's started well overall I think, so interested to see what's to be expected of him going forward that's acceptable to us. 

All depends on Sullivan and if he can just back the manager with whatever he wants and needs, and resist all his tendencies and lining his mates pockets. I genuinely think that we cold challenge for a cup with a non typical joke draw, and be in and around Europe. I think he has the nous skills and qualities to do it and it's all just about being provided with the players and environment he needs. Sullivan has to 100% commit to him. But I don't think his ego will let him.