West Ham's Troubling Start to the Season Raises Concerns
West Ham United has had a disastrous start to the season, suffering three defeats and conceding 11 goals, which has intensified the pressure on manager Graham Potter.
The latest setback came in the Carabao Cup against Wolves, culminating in an incident where captain Jarrod Bowen appeared to confront a fan at full-time, further highlighting the club's crisis.
Former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker characterized the situation as "very bleak." The question now arises: what can be done to rectify the current issues? Are the problems solely the responsibility of the manager?
BBC Sport delves into the factors contributing to West Ham's struggles.
Warning Signs Have Been Apparent
Matthew Hobbs, BBC Sport journalist
Many West Ham fans have expressed concern that the warning signs have been evident for quite some time. Since Graham Potter took charge on January 14, the team would be at the bottom of the Premier League table if only ever-present clubs were considered, having won just two of their last 13 league matches (D4, L7) since March.
Among managers who have overseen 20 or more Premier League matches, only Avram Grant has a worse win percentage than Potter's 25%. This includes his predecessor Julen Lopetegui, who was dismissed while the team was 14th, seven points above the relegation zone, after securing six wins in 20 league games.
Defensive issues have been a major focus, with only Tottenham and Brighton conceding more goals among ever-present Premier League clubs since Potter's appointment. The team has also faced the highest number of shots on target in the league this season (12).
Under Potter, West Ham has dropped 15 points from winning positions, the most of any Premier League team during his tenure. Moreover, their current start to the league season, with two defeats and eight goals conceded, marks their worst performance since 1954.
Recruitment Challenges
The disappointing start has understandably shifted attention to the club's summer recruitment strategy.
West Ham has made five signings, including highly-rated full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, and former Newcastle striker Callum Wilson. However, they have yet to find a direct replacement for winger Mohammed Kudus, who moved to London rivals Tottenham for £55 million, and have not secured a central midfielder.
Nigel Reo-Coker remarked on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast that the outlook for West Ham appears grim. He noted, "There was just no fight or togetherness against Chelsea. They looked like a bunch of individuals. The midfield is a major concern as they lack the energy and grit needed to reclaim possession. They appear weak and struggle to advance the ball due to the absence of a target man. Recruitment has been a significant issue for some time. There seems to be no clear direction in what they are trying to achieve."
He also observed that Potter has seemed lost at times, suggesting that most West Ham fans would be content with mere survival in the Premier League this season.
Potter Faces a Difficult Challenge
West Ham's problems can be traced back to the aftermath of their euphoric victory in Prague, where they ended a 43-year trophy drought by defeating Fiorentina in the UEFA Conference League final.
Owner David Sullivan announced shortly after that Declan Rice would be departing, and Tim Steidten was appointed as technical director to help reshape the squad with the £105 million received from Arsenal. However, the transition did not unfold as expected.
Steidten and David Moyes were not aligned in their vision, leading to Steidten's ban from the training ground. West Ham used the funds from Rice's transfer and additional resources to make four signings: Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and Mohammed Kudus. While they initially showed promise, many of the new arrivals have since become inconsistent or ineffective. Kalvin Phillips joined on loan mid-season but made little impact. Kudus was sold this summer, and Alvarez has since left on loan.
When Moyes departed in 2024, a widely accepted move, Julen Lopetegui was appointed as his successor by Steidten. Another £140 million was spent on new players, yet collectively, their impact has been limited. Lopetegui was dismissed in January, followed by Steidten's exit the following month.
It is into this tumultuous environment that Potter has stepped. He has downplayed the need for new signings, preferring to focus on improving the existing squad rather than publicly lamenting his circumstances. However, the reality is that West Ham continues to rely heavily on players like Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek, and Lucas Paqueta, as they did during their successful run to Prague. The significant difference now is that Rice is no longer there to provide stability.
While Potter is working diligently to rectify the situation, many fans are losing patience. They are acutely aware that the players acquired since their historic night in Prague may not possess the quality needed for significant success.
Final Days of the Transfer Window Are Crucial
James Jones from We Are West Ham
Three matches into the new season, the alarming trajectory of West Ham is evident. Potter was initially given the benefit of the doubt upon his arrival in January, as he inherited a declining squad from the previous two managers. He successfully guided the club away from relegation trouble and achieved notable away victories against Arsenal and Manchester United.
However, with the team conceding 11 goals in just three games and appearing ill-equipped to compete at the highest level, the pressure on Potter is mounting.
Several factors are at play in this situation. Tactically, West Ham has struggled in recent weeks, with a back three that seems ill-suited to their roles, a slow and cumbersome midfield, and an attack overly reliant on individual brilliance.
Additionally, the restrictions imposed by this summer’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) may have hampered Potter's recruitment efforts. It is believed that had he been given more freedom to pursue his desired targets, the club would not be in such a desperate search for reinforcements in the final week of the transfer window.
Yet, effective managers must adapt, and currently, Potter is not making the necessary adjustments. He continues to rely on a formation that is not yielding results and a midfield that lacks quality.
The potential for salvaging the season hinges on the final days of the transfer window. However, if there is no sign of improvement this weekend against Nottingham Forest, the situation could become even more dire.