Chris Sutton names who’s really to blame for shocking West Ham start – it’s not Graham Potter
West Ham have endured a terrible start to the new Premier League season under Graham Potter.
The Hammers began the new campaign with an embarrassing defeat at newly-promoted Sunderland, then followed that up by getting thrashed 5-1 at home to Chelsea.
The results have led to many fans and pundits pointing the finger at Potter, who finds himself under pressure after just two games.
However, BBC pundit Chris Sutton has suggested that Potter shouldn’t be the focus of the blame.
Chris Sutton believes West Ham’s recruitment is the problem
This was Potter’s first summer transfer window as Hammers boss.
Potter has been given the funds to buy Mads Hermansen, El Hadji Malick Diouf and Jean-Clair Todibo, while Callum Wilson and Kyle Walker-Peters have arrived on free transfers.
Mohammed Kudus has been sold to Tottenham this summer, and the fee received for him would have covered a lot of these new recruits.
Speaking on BBC Football Focus, Sutton suggested that this would never have been enough to push the Hammers up the table.
He said: “In the summer, they needed to recruit well. They haven’t really done that and so I don’t think the start is necessarily a big surprise.
“It’s the same group of players who failed last season under two managers and the start to this season has been woeful, so Graham Potter needs a bit of help.”
Sutton is therefore blaming David Sullivan and the West Ham board, rather than under-fire Potter himself.
West Ham still look short of firepower
The defence looks like the obvious problem for West Ham when you consider the nature of the goals conceded against Chelsea. Hermansen hasn’t had the most commanding start to his West Ham career in goal either.
However, when you look deeper, West Ham look worryingly short of attacking options.
Nicolas Fullkrug has flattered to deceive in a Hammers shirt, and was almost anonymous in the first half against Chelsea. He struggled to engage in any meaningful hold-up play and was hauled off at half-time. Callum Wilson replaced him and didn’t do much better.
| Player | Position |
| Mads Hermansen | Goalkeeper |
| Jean-Clair Tobido | Defender |
| Kyle Walker-Peters | Defender |
| El Hadji Malick Diouf | Midfield |
| Callum Wilson | Forward |
Jarrod Bowen currently looks like their only reliable source of goals, but he has not played anywhere near to his potential this season.
If Potter wants to stand a chance of turning things around, he will have to convince the board to gift some extra funds for another proven striker and perhaps an exciting playmaker.
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