‘Graham Potter makes Carlos Soler error’ – West Ham confirmed XI v Southampton
Graham Potter has made three changes to his West Ham side as they welcome Southampton in a Premier League clash on Saturday.
The Hammers will be keen to bounce back to winning ways after falling to a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday (13 April).
An own goal from Andy Robertson wasn’t enough to earn an away point as the travelling Irons fell victim to a Virgil van Dijk header on 89 minutes.
The Saints represent a completely different type of opponent as they sit bottom of the division after one of the worst seasons in history.
As a result, it is little surprise that Potter has opted to make multiple changes at the London Stadium, but he may live to regret starting with Soler once again.
West Ham confirmed XI v Southampton
It has certainly been an up-and-down spell under the English head coach, but there were positives to take against the soon-to-be Premier League champions.
Who knows, if a foul had been given on Lucas Paqueta in the late stages of the game, the Irons could have secured a hard-fought point.
This is on a day when Mohammed Kudus looked to be back to his best alongside Jarrod Bowen, and he will be hopeful of replicating that in East London.
With that being said, there were some poorer performances throughout the side and as a result, changes haven’t come as a surprise.
This has seen Konstantinos Mavropanos, Ollie Scarles, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka drop out while Vladimir Coufal, Emerson and Niclas Fullkrug have come in from the start after a somewhat frustrating outing at Anfield last time out.
It has to be said, the decision to leave Soler in the side may come as a mistake against a Southampton side who are likely to play on the counterattack with pace, something which isn’t the Spaniard’s best attribute.
West Ham must win v Southampton
It may not have been the greatest spell under Potter so far, but a new season is just over the horizon, where things could be so much different.
If the former Chelsea man wants to kickstart next campaign positively, he has to end the current year on a great run of form, and that can start against the Saints.
Adam Lallana is in interim charge of the side, who have picked up just 10 points in the Premier League, so should represent an easy task for the Hammers.
| Position | Club | Games played | Goal difference | Points |
| 17. | West Ham | 32 | -18 | 35 |
| 18. | Ipswich Town | 32 | -34 | 21 |
| 19. | Leicester City | 32 | -45 | 18 |
| 20. | Southampton | 32 | -54 | 10 |
If a win isn’t picked up at home, there will be serious questions asked of the ex-Brighton man who could face opposition from supporters if the result doesn’t go his way.