A pivotal few days at West Ham could – possibly, probably, see the end of the [Lopetegui](https://www.claretandhugh.info/lopetegui-crisis-groundhog-day-at-west-ham/) era. [The Hammers](https://www.claretandhugh.info/if-lopeteguis-west-ham-beat-wolves-the-alarming-reality/) entertain Wolves in what could be Lopetegui’s last stand: The writing appeared on the wall during his press conference yesterday as reporters were moved to apologise for asking the Spaniard tough questions about his future at London Stadium.
So, what of his successor? Three names keep appearing on comments from various ‘in the know’s’, rumour factories and reputable journalistic sources. Graham Potter appears on just about every list, since he is a free agent, British and has Premier League experience, all reported to be ‘non-negotiables’ for Chairman David Sullivan.
Quite possibly, negotiations are ongoing behind the scenes: West Ham admit to having had “discussions with his people” last week.
So, what of Graham Potter’s aspirations? What would ‘his’ West Ham United look like? In his own words from two years ago, prior to his last appointment, he told _chelseafc.com:_
_“I want a tactically flexible, attacking, possession-based team. Players that are brave, that aren’t afraid to make mistakes. That can get on the ball and show courage and really try to enjoy their football._
(Does this sound very different from Lopetegui’s chaos-ball?)
Potter again: _‘If the players are enjoying their football, there’s a chance that the supporters will enjoy it as well. That’s how you grow and develop as a club._
_‘Styles of play don’t make you win games. The challenge is having players believe in it and how it works._
_‘In my position you cannot use time as an excuse. You can talk philosophy, identity, all these nice words, but you have to think in the short term as well. We are in a results game and you have to try and do your best to win.’_
Pep Guardiola, who does know a thing or two about management, on Potter:
_“I’m absolutely a big fan of Graham Potter._
_‘Everyone plays in their positions, the ball comes to the positions, players move with freedom and everyone knows what they have to do. They have the courage to play everywhere.”_
From Dale Stephens, former Brighton Midfielder: “_You could be playing one system one week and then a different system the week after.” (_ More chaos-ball?)
And Alexis McAllister, now at Liverpool, on Potter’s people skills: ‘_He always tries to speak with us about psychological things. He tries to do meetings for us to think about situations. It’s something not every manager does.’_
So, insight into one of the frontrunners and his lofty ambitions which worked at Brighton but flopped badly at Chelsea.
Whether it is ‘free-flowing football’ or ‘more chaos ball’, one thing it certainly is NOT is _Mike Basset-style ‘four-four-effing-two’ ._