Cascarino shares ‘major’ West Ham problem as Potter urged to act
West Ham will be looking to improve on last season’s disappointing showing when the Premier League kicks off in August.
The Hammers looked woeful under Julen Lopetegui at the start of the 2024/25 campaign. Graham Potter came in to steady the ship in January, but the team still looks miles away from challenging for domestic honours or a place in Europe.
Now, Tony Cascarino has shared his damning verdict on the atmosphere in East London.
Potter accused of ‘sucking enthusiasm’ out of West Ham fans
During his Sunday morning show on talkSPORT (20 July), Cascarino reminisced about his playing days when he’d visit West Ham and the vociferous crowd would act as the 12th man for their team.
He then claimed that the atmosphere was nothing like that toward the end of last season and blamed Potter’s playing style.
He said: “I went two or three times before the end of the season. You arrive at Westfield, and all the bars are really busy; it’s really vibrant. You get in the stadium, it’s flat!
“It gets sucked out of the fans. Potter has got to win over the fans with the type of football as well.”
Potter won his first home game as West Ham boss back in January, an exciting 3-2 victory over Fulham, but only managed one other win at the London Stadium after that.
They face London rivals Chelsea, Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Brentford in their first four home fixtures this season.
West Ham desperately need to invest in flair players
Potter has been active in the transfer market, signing full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf and centre-half Jean-Clair Todibo on permanent deals. Kyle Walker-Peters has also been recruited on a free transfer.
These signings should all help to make the Hammers more solid at the back.
However, Potter’s side is crying out for a big-money flair player or two before the season starts.
West Ham scored just 46 goals in 38 Premier League games. They’ve sold their main source of creativity in Mohammed Kudus. Their centre-forwards all flopped last season, and Jarrod Bowen looks to be their only source of goals.
| Player | Goals |
| Jarrad Bowen | 13 |
| Tomas Soucek | 9 |
| Mohammed Kudus | 5 |
Therefore, Potter needs to target exciting wingers and strikers as a matter of urgency. The type of players who can get the fans out of their seats.
Hammers fans are used to cheering on a team that plays an exciting brand of football. If this season’s team doesn’t turn on the style in the opening games, Potter could find himself under pressure.
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