West Ham face nightmare scenario as Graham Potter sack threat looms
West Ham manager Graham Potter remains under severe pressure ahead of his side’s game against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
It looked like the Hammers might have turned a corner under Potter when West Ham beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 at The City Ground earlier in September.
However, they were woeful against Tottenham in the next game, and this performance has turned up the scrutiny on Potter to record levels.
If the team can’t muster up a positive result against Crystal Palace, it could spell the end for Potter’s reign at West Ham.
TalkSPORT journalist suggests West Ham could struggle to find adequate replacement for Graham Potter
West Ham have supposedly already drawn up a shortlist of managers to replace Potter if the team’s form doesn’t improve soon.
Slaven Bilic, Gary O’Neil and Nuno Espirito Santo are among the names linked with the job. Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna has also emerged as a candidate for the West Ham hotseat.
However, TalkSPORT chief football correspondent Alex Crook has suggested that the Hammers might struggle to attract a big-name manager if they do let Potter go.
Speaking on Friday, he said: “I’m not sure it’s a great gig because you’ve got so many different people on the board who want their say.
“And all the time you’ve got this toxicity, from the fans to the owner, there’s always an uneasy relationship even when things are going well. A couple of bad results and it all comes to the surface again.
“If I’m Gary O’Neil and I’m trying to restore my reputation, I’m not sure it’s the best job to take. If I’m Nuno Espirito Santo when my stock is very high, is the right job to walk straight back into? I’m not sure.”
West Ham need to attack and entertain the fans against Crystal Palace
Graham Potter might already be a dead man walking at West Ham based on what has been speculated in the press this week.
If he is to stand any chance of saving his job, he needs to instruct his team to attack Crystal Palace and entertain the fans on Saturday.
West Ham have the players to do that. They showed that at Nottingham Forest. These are the types of performances that the fans are desperate to see every week.
| West Ham under Graham Potter this season | |
| Games played | 5 |
| Wins | 1 |
| Draws | 0 |
| Losses | 4 |
| Goals scored | 6 |
| Goals conceded | 14 |
The Hammers fans hounded out David Moyes because of his style of football. They believe in the ‘West Ham way’.
If Potter can instruct his team to play entertaining football and attack their opponents at will, he may receive some more patience from the supporters.
If they’re treated to another lifeless display like those against Chelsea and Tottenham, it could be Potter’s curtain call.
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