Graham Potter has ‘long-term solution’ after what Oliver Scarles did v Newcastle
Graham Potter may have found a solution for West Ham’s left-back issue despite the 1-0 loss to Newcastle.
The position has been a problem for the Hammers for a number of years with Emerson Palmieri and Aaron Cresswell past their peaks.
However, the former Chelsea manager has an obvious fix within his squad at the London Stadium.
Oliver Scarles shines for West Ham v Newcastle
Oliver Scarles has made just three Premier League starts for the Hammers so far but showed a maturity beyond his years against Newcastle.
The 19-year-old looked like he had been playing in the top flight for years against the Magpies on Monday.
The left-back created one chance and made two passes into the final third as he tried to stamp an impact of the contest going forward. [Fotmob]
However, it was when his side did not have the ball that he truly impressed, winning all three tackles that he attempted for a 100 per cent success rate.
| Stats | Scarles v Newcastle |
| Tackles won | 3/3 (100%) |
| Clearances | 5 |
| Recoveries | 4 |
| Dribbled past | 1 |
The academy graduate made five clearances and four recoveries and was dribbled past just once despite facing Newcastle’s formidable forward options.
In terms of duels, the Irons star won four of the seven that he contested for a 57 per cent success rate in the clash.
Scarles can take West Ham spot permanently
The starting spot at left-back is there for Scarles to take, with the two veterans that he is in competition with struggling to make a regular impact under Potter.
The former Brighton boss seems to trust the youngster as he has started the last three matches, with two wins against Leicester and Arsenal and the loss to Eddie Howe’s side, and featured in all eight of his matches in charge.
Having an academy graduate as a fully-fledged starter is always a positive and the Irons have been lacking that kind of connection with the supporters since Declan Rice left for the Gunners in 2023.
The East London club finally have a new homegrown star and there is nothing stopping him from reaching the levels that Rice did if he continues in this vein of form.