After inheriting a fractured squad mid-season in 2024-25, Graham Potter has now had the chance to begin to shape the team in his image. There have been lots of positives about the spirit, attitude, morale and togetherness of the squad in pre-season. But can the manager’s tactical acumen and calm leadership finally bring cohesion to the club?
Promising pre-season form doesn’t mean a lot really but in the games I’ve seen then perhaps attacking fluidity is returning, although still there’s plenty of work to be done. These pre-season matches have helped reintegrate key players and build morale which are a crucial foundation for a strong start.
It’s still early days in the transfer window by West Ham standards as we wait for the end of window bargains! Kyle Walker-Peters arrival on a free offers versatility and Premier League experience. El Hadji Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague adds youthful energy to midfield and could perhaps turn out to be one of our better buys in recent years. He could provide a new level to our attacking on the left in a similar way to Wan Bissaka does on the right. If the manager wants to play with wing backs (as seems likely) then we might just have an excellent pair.
Potter’s reputation for nurturing young players could perhaps see a few breakthrough stars this season? Potts has looked the outstanding one in pre-season. Are there more on the horizon? There have definitely been some very encouraging performances from academy products during the pre-season games. Potts, Marshall, Orford, Scales, Fearon, Earthy – they are all prospects. And Guilherme always looks like he could become quite an asset but we haven’t seen enough of him yet. Perhaps Cummings from Celtic or Kante, who has spent a season on loan in France, will be good enough for integration into the first team squad?
Another positive is that Paqueta’s potential lifetime ban has finally disappeared. (But why did it take so long?). Perhaps we can now see some performances from him that we were all hoping for when he arrived.
It’s a Mads World but we seem to have acquired a good young goalkeeper who is highly thought of. I don’t know how many we were seriously chasing (so many names were put forward) but we seem to have the one that the goalkeeper coach wanted. Let’s hope he is a successful acquisition.
It’s not about finishing in the top six — it’s about rediscovering identity and playing with purpose, entertaining the fans and giving it a real go in every game and in every competition. If Potter can mould the squad into a coherent unit we might just surprise a few doubters. But then again we might not!
Reasons to Worry about West Ham in 2025–26 (Part 2)
Graham Potter made an unconvincing start; his first season ended in 14th place, with just 43 points, a tally flattered by the poor quality of relegated sides. His tactical tinkering and lack of a settled XI left fans frustrated. If he doesn’t find consistency early, pressure will mount fast.
Mohammed Kudus, arguably West Ham’s most dynamic attacker (although he was poor last season wasn’t he?), was sold to Spurs. No direct replacement has arrived. Crysencio Summerville is returning from long-term injury, but will he be the one who can fill Kudus’ boots? The obvious midfield gaps that we can all see in lack of pace, mobility and power and a much needed box to box player, preferably two, have not been addressed. At the very least one central midfielder to match the criteria is an absolute must surely! We appear to be after Fernandes from Southampton. If true he would be the best of all the ones I’ve seen mentioned, but will it happen?
Only four senior additions so far in the transfer window: Diouf, Walker-Peters, Hermansen and Wilson. Only two needed a transfer fee payment and on the face of it they are likely to be good value for the money. Also, Walker-Peters is a decent versatile acquisition, and I know why Wilson has arrived although he is not really one for the future!
The squad still lacks a reliable striker, with last season’s goal output among the lowest in the league. Fullkrug and Wilson may have proven goalscoring records but they have proven injury records too. A younger, more prolific striker to assist the ageing duo is another must! Perhaps Marshall can step up, it would be great if he can (I do hope so) but it is a big ask.
Wing-backs (which Potter seems to favour) are pushed forward aggressively. Wan Bissaka and Diouf will be key in creating width and overloads. But this leaves space behind though which is a tactical risk if transitions aren’t managed well. Early days but there was evidence in the pre-season games in America that this could be an issue that needs to be addressed. Everton and Bournemouth could both have made more of this. Better teams might!
Opta’s supercomputer predicts West Ham to finish 16th, with a 22% chance of relegation, reflecting the squad’s stagnation in recent times compared to improving rivals. In short, we feel like a club in transition, a work in progress but perhaps without the urgency or clarity to make the transition successful. I hope we can step forward but if Potter can’t galvanise the squad quickly, we could find ourselves in the type of scrap that we thought we’d left behind a few years ago. A poor start could set the tone for another season of struggle.
Under The Hammers 
without 2 new more athleticism and pacey box to box midfielders to replace the inadequate central midfield we have wecwill just be overrun through the centre likewise were all too often last season. I don’t think we will get away with it this time if no more incomings between now and close of the window. We don’t have the easiest of starts to the season, so pressure could be very high after first 3-4 games. Our owners really have let the club down this window, zero investment yet seemingly taking out big loans on the clubs assets, for what purpose if not to strengthen the team.
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Julian – thanks for your thoughts – you are so right – without athleticism, pace and power added to the midfield we will struggle. I am not a fan of the owners – I don’t know many who are!
Richard
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why has JWP not been offered as part of Fernandes deal!
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Rick – thanks for your thoughts – I am actually one of just a few who like JWP. The manager seems to as well doesn’t he? However for him to thrive we really need pace and power in the midfield alongside him. It doesn’t work with the midfielders we have.
Perhaps he was offered but Southampton don’t want him back!
Richard
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Really good write up Richard, unfortunately. My personal feeling is that whilst we got Sully and his gang holding the purse strings nothing will change. Twice in recent years he has relaxed’ his hold and each time we have suffered but the Steidten episode was quite ridiculous with so many changes wanted. He now crows that he knows more about footballers than any of these ‘acquirers’. The terrible thing is that there bhas been no top up of Directors capital for years and yet we are short of funds. I did think that the USA trip showed a big change in attitude from the players and hopefully some future promise but without AT LEAST a top forceful midfielder we will really struggle. Geoff said he would eat a hat if we reached a safe place at the end of the season and i offered to pay half if we made 12 or better. We can only hope that we stay safe and consider reviewing in December. Regards Michael
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Michael
Geoff and I always appreciate your comments in response to our articles.
Yes with the current owners nothing is likely to change. When I read about Nottingham Forest attracting some of the players on offer, in addition to the ‘big’ clubs then I begin to wonder how we can possibly compete with our lot in charge.
The US trip did give some positives but at least one and probably two powerful, athletic midfielders are urgently needed.
In a prediction competition I forecast a 16th place finish, which is strange for me because I am usually over optimistic about how we will do. I hope for better but I’ll leave the hat eating to you and Geoff if by chance we do exceed what I am afraid might happen.
Regards
Richard
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Agree with what’s been said. It is evident that, so far, we are looking like lower bottom half team that’s just been promoted and doesn’t have any money (apparently we don’t). Sully doesn’t run West Ham like a football club, so we shouldn’t expect anything different from him than when he ran the transfers previously. So I am not expecting much this year, maybe a couple of panic buys in January if we are in or close to bottom 3, and a desperate hope that we can finish 12-15th. I think Potter might be gone by Christmas, but good luck getting a decent manager to come to us with Sully in charge.
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Mark – thanks for your thoughts – yes with the current ownership things are unlikely to get any better. I predicted 16th in a prediction competition and just like you I think 12th -15th would be our best hope.
Happy to give Potter a chance to see what he can achieve and hope he can surprise us. But, as you say with Sully in charge it narrows down the list of anyone who may want to come and manage us.
Regards
Richard
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Richard, thanks for a good, thoughtful piece. As ever, we have failed totally to address our most serious player/position problems, and we are still ‘ considering’ and underbidding although the window is nearly closed. Typical of a team with no proper plan. Plus ca change. Mike
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Mike
As you say we go into a new season with the recognised (by us) problems not resolved and no apparent plan to do so. I do try to be optimistic but having just watched the Liverpool v Bournemouth game, and the pace demonstrated by both teams I just couldn’t imagine us beginning to live with either of them.
But little will change with our current ownership.
Always good to hear your thoughts Mike.
Regards
Richard
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