Graham Potter point made at West Ham United as ‘dross’ verdict shared
Graham Potter has a “big job” on his hands at West Ham United to turn around the “dross” that is regularly served up, according to Will Perry.
The Hammers tried a new three-at-the-back formation against Crystal Palace and things didn’t quite go to plan at the London Stadium as the Irons fell to a 2-0 defeat.
Potter’s men are 14th in the Premier League after a hugely disappointing setback, seven points adrift of the top half.
Writing for the BBC Sport website [20 January], Final Score reporter Perry shared his thoughts on the former Chelsea boss.
“West Ham fans have witnessed some dross over the years at the London Stadium but that defeat against Crystal Palace has to be up there with one of the most turgid performances from their side,” he wrote.
“It shows you just how big a job Graham Potter has on his hands to revitalise the club and how much they are missing Jarrod Bowen’s creativity.
“West Ham offered diddly-squat going forward – for the second time this season, failing to record a shot on target in a Premier League home game – with Lukasz Fabianski and the back three experiment not doing them any favours either.”
Graham Potter cannot use back three formation at West Ham again
Although Potter’s go-to formation is three at the back, it feels like the Hammers don’t have the ability to pull off a formation in that style.
At the moment, there are only three senior centre-backs within their ranks and, while Aaron Cresswell was used as the left-sided centre-back, he doesn’t have the legs needed to bomb up and down the wing if and when needed.
If Potter wants to line his team up in that way, some new faces need to be brought through the London Stadium doors as soon as possible.
At the moment, it’s unclear whether the Hammers will be making any defensive additions in the winter transfer window due to their need of a new striker after Niclas Fullkrug was once again ruled out for an extended period.
Only time will tell what the future holds, but before Potter tries to line his team up with three centre-backs again, he at least needs some more time to coach them how he wants things to pan out.
In other West Ham news, an update has emerged in the Hammers’ pursuit of Andre Silva.
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