Paul Merson names what Graham Potter is missing at West Ham
Graham Potter has failed to turn West Ham’s form around since he replaced Julen Lopetegui.
The former Chelsea manager has endured a difficult time at the London Stadium, winning just three of his first 12 matches in charge with the Irons sitting 16th in the Premier League.
He will need to oversee a huge rebuild in the summer transfer window to fix the many issues within the Hammers’ squad and there is already pressure starting to build on his future.
Paul Merson underwhelmed with Potter’s start at West Ham
Potter was appointed at West Ham with expectations that he could turn the season around and finish on a positive note.
However, that has not proved to be the case as he has struggled to right the wrongs of the disastrous Lopetegui era in East London.
Paul Merson believes that while it would not be fair to judge Potter yet, he has lacked the galvanising impact that he was expected to have.
In his weekly column for Sportskeeda (10 October), he predicted a 3-1 win for Liverpool and said: “Liverpool will win this, West Ham have been so disappointing.
“Graham Potter has not had that kick-on effect like I expected.
“But he will only be judged next season, when he gets his own players and builds his own system.”
West Ham need Potter to come good
Potter came to the Irons with a great reputation despite a dismal stint across London with the Blues, where he was sacked after just seven months in charge.
That reputation is mainly based on his time at Brighton, where he built a squad that competed above its station and arguably set the Sussex club on the path to success.
| Premier League | Played | GD | Points |
| 15. Everton | 31 | -5 | 35 |
| 16. West Ham | 31 | -17 | 35 |
| 17. Wolves | 31 | -16 | 32 |
David Sullivan needs Potter to replicate that method at Rush Green to transform the squad into one that is capable enough to secure European qualification rather than just about avoiding relegation.
Merson is right though, he should not be judged off this season and the real litmus test for the 49-year-old is the first few matches of next season, after he has been able to mould the squad to what he need for his system to work.
It could be a very exciting summer for Irons fans, if Potter and recruitment guru Kyle Macaualay can get top quality players through the door and hopefully the Lopetegui era can truly be put in the past.