West Ham flop ‘ready for redemption’ as Graham Potter experiment continues
Julen Lopetegui was right in the middle of rebuilding the West Ham squad before being replaced by Graham Potter last month.
The former Chelsea and Brighton figure has certainly not been given much time to put his own spin on the team, given that Evan Ferguson was the only addition during the winter transfer window.
Jean-Clair Todibo, Michail Antonio, Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville, to name just a few, are still unavailable, leaving the manager with a depleted squad as he looked to put points on the board.
Nonetheless, Potter has already been ringing the changes, not just in terms of personnel on the pitch, but also in the formation and the use of different players.
Vladimir Coufal given new role under Graham Potter
Vladimir Coufal has fallen down the pecking order since the start of the season, with the right-back being given just six league starts during Lopetegui’s reign.
Considering how brilliant Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been since his £15million move from Manchester United, and Jamie Carragher labelling the Czechia international as “sloppy” [Sky Sports Main Event], it is no surprise.
However, the 32-year-old is now being entrusted as one of the centre-backs in Potter’s makeshift back-three formation, sliding across the defence from his normal full-back role.
With two decent performances against Aston Villa and Chelsea, albeit only picking up one point in total from these games, Coufal may have found a way back into the starting XI.
Solution found for West Ham United defensive problems?
The Hammers have been leaking goals for the entirety of the last two league campaigns, with only Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United conceding more last term, and four teams this season.
That will be one of the biggest concerns for Potter to address as he attempts to turn things around at the London Stadium, especially with the team sitting just three spots above the relegation zone.
Dropping down to the Championship this season does not seem like a realistic possibility, but if the Irons continue to miss out on easier points, it could be a very difficult campaign.