West Ham Monday Briefing: FA Cup Exit, Striker Crisis and Pottering About in The Transfer Window

My story is probably similar to many other fans. Becoming a supporter of West Ham was never a conscious decision. Rather, it was an inherited condition passed down by a long line of labourers, rascals and urchins who had lived in the county borough of West Ham as far back as the earliest census records go. Being a Hammer is just one more genetic marker alongside colour of eyes and annoyingly large ear lobes.

Despite the congenital nature of the affliction, a great deal of time was wasted over the years looking for justification, as if the decision had been taken by free will. Whether this was the emotional connection of following the East End’s family club, the attractive brand of football played by “everyone’s second favourite team” in the 1960s, effectively winning the World Cup in 1966, or the club’s admirable loyalty to its managers.

It feels strange mentioning that last point now – having personally willed the last two managers out of a job for the best past of two years – but for the first 87 years of existence, West Ham had employed just five managers, each surviving at least ten years at the helm. I don’t know if it is, but it sounds like it should be some sort of record.

Around 36 years have passed since the last of the famous five (John Lyall) was unceremoniously sacked in the summer of 1989. In that time, a further 15 full-time managers have taken their turn to sit in the dugout with varying degrees of disappointment. The longest was Harry Redknapp (a little short of seven years) while four others lasted less than a year (Avram Grant, the first coming of David Moyes, Lou Macari and now, Julen Lopetegui.) The timeline doesn’t precisely match the creation of the Premier League, but it is close enough to suspect a connection.

Under the circumstances, it is difficult to get too excited when names of managerial targets are mentioned these days. Most appointments ultimately end in failure even where there is a hint of success in between. Naysaying has become the new national pastime when it comes to football matters and there is always someone ready to point out the relative weakness of a win percentage or critique a previous failing regardless of any mitigating circumstances. Even I may be guilty as charged, having previously described Graham Potter’s Brighton side as “all sizzle and no sausage.” However, I don’t see his career being defined by the shambles that was taking place at Chelsea during the period of his tenure.

Potter may not fit the bald, designer stubble, chinos and turtleneck sweater wearing profile of the trendy manager, but I am reasonably happy with his appointment. I thought he acquitted himself well at the press conference following the announcement of his appointment. It can’t have been easy trying to answer essentially the same question from assembled journalists using different words. Everything he said about identity, alignment and collaboration makes perfect sense provided he can follow through on the training ground. My general takeaway was that here was a man with an air of competence – an attribute that has been in short supply at the club in recent years.

Then again Lopetegui wasn’t completely unbelievable in his initial pre-season utterances. It was only when the matches started, and he lost the ability to speak English that it became clear someone had been duped by his Powerpoint presentation. Quite why Potter was suddenly seen as the perfect fit for West Ham in January but was not considered last summer must remain a mystery.

Although it was disappointing to go out of the FA Cup on Friday night, the performance did suggest a lightening of the mood in the West Ham camp. Until the team ran out of steam and players early in the second period there was much to be encouraged about. At last, a coach with ideas on how best to use the resources at his disposal rather than one with a half-baked and poorly communicated philosophy which had his favourite players shoehorned into it. It was only one game (and one training session) but there are signs that Potter is an authentic coach who can improve players, is tactically flexible, a good communicator, and prepared to give youth a chance. It is a relief to have a glimmer of hope that we might see anincremental improvement in performances over the remainder of the season, despite having little other than pride to play for.

The already dire striker situation deteriorated even further in the Aston Villa cup-tie when Niclas Fullkrug pulled up with a hamstring injury which, according to rumours, will rule him out for three months – effectively the rest of the season. Witnessing the rickety, injury-prone German replaced by a rusty, misfiring Danny Ings provided ample evidence as to why you shouldn’t panic buy strikers at the breaker’s yard. Replacement striker, central defensive reinforcements and someone with pace, energy and technique in central midfield are now all transfer window priorities. A tall order for what is traditionally a disappointing January for the Hammers. Whatever moves are taken they should be made with the future in mind, not just quick fixes.

The transfer window is sure to intensify the media noise surrounding the role of Tim Steidten – a role that is routinely misunderstood or misrepresented. As Technical Director he is not employed by the coach although the pair need to be part of the ‘alignment’ that Potter spoke about. The problem is that Steidten appears to be Kretinski’s man in a role that Sullivan never really wanted – as he had always regarded himself as de facto Director of Football. I’m convinced most of the Steidten under pressure stories are intentionally briefed from the Chairman himslef in an attempt to undermine his efforts and deflect from the appalling decision to appoint Lopetegui – against the Technical Director’s advice.

I can imagine Sullivan struggling to cope with a far richer and more astute partner in the Boardroom. All was fine when David Gold was playing Sergeant Wilson to his Captain Mainwaring, but the perspective has now changed, and he is no longer undisputed king of the castle. Whether the club can progress while being held hostage to a fragile ego is open to debate. Sullivan and Co have invested heavily in the squad but he must learn not to interfere and to cut the strings with the interests of his preferred agents.  

At least we can now start to look forward to watching games again. It will be intriguing to see how Potter copes with the striker shortfall in the upcoming games against Fulham and Palace. The change of coach should also be a clean slate for the players who had lost all faith in Lopetegui. If the stories coming out about dressing room bust-ups and Lopetegui’s lack of engagement are true, it must have been a highly toxic environment in which to operate. Forever onwards and upwards. COYI!