West Ham owner David Sullivan surrounded by money and Gabby Agbonlahor in a circle frame
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media/ talkSPORT
Henry Green
Thu 18 September 2025 8:27, UK
West Ham fans have shown their frustrations with the Hammers’ hierarchy already this season.
West Ham owners received a letter of no confidence from supporters at the end of August, after multiple failures in the summer transfer window.
David Sullivan and Co.’s recruitment failure has proved costly for the Hammers, who have now conceded three or more goals in four of their five games this season.
The spine of Graham Potter’s side is fragile and lacking depth, and former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has shared what he thinks is to blame for that.
Graham Potter on the touchline in West Ham training gear.
Credit: Imago
Gabby Agbonlahor blames West Ham’s recruitment for failures
West Ham’s response to the supporters’ vote of no confidence leaves out a lot of details regarding the future of the club.
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After such a negative start to the season, the Irons face an uphill battle to get things back on track in the coming weeks.
West Ham boss Potter could face the sack if results continue to go against the Hammers, but Agbonlahor doesn’t believe he is to blame for their shortcomings.
Speaking on talkSPORT on 18 September, he said: “For me, it’s the recruitment, isn’t it?
“After winning the European Conference, West Ham fans will have been thinking, right, we are going to win the Europa League next season.
“Some of the players they’ve brought in, you look at [Jean-Clair] Todibo at the back, not good enough. They’ve got it better this summer, and they’ve got to bear with [Potter], but West Ham fans have every right to be disappointed.”
Jean-Clair Todibo West Ham
Credit: Imago
Who are some of West Ham’s worst signings in recent years?
Most of the Hammers’ poor recruits over the last year have come under former technical director Tim Steidten.
Signings made under Steidten:
Niclas Fullkrug – £27million
Kalvin Phillips – Loan
Jean-Clair Todibo – £32million
James Ward-Prowse – £30million
Guido Rodriguez – Free
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – £15million
Having departed in January, the German can’t be blamed for the lack of signings over the summer.
Some signings have been good, but there simply haven’t been enough of them, having brought in more than £70million of talent and significantly reduced their wage bill.
It’s expected that disruption between West Ham fans and the owners will only grow after the recent statement, which isn’t a good sign for the future.
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