A journalist has shared whether Graham Potter believes he is fighting a losing battle at West Ham as a Hammers star speaks out about the situation.
West Ham feels increasingly like a pressure cooker waiting to explode this season.
Four defeats in five games has Graham Potter under mounting pressure.
And West Ham fans are applying serious pressure on the club’s owners to sell up or step aside as they push for major changes at the top.
To underline the strength of feeling, Hammers supporters will protest ahead of the game with Palace by lining the road leading to the director’s entrance at the London Stadium.
The main two targets of the West Ham fan protests are majority owner David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.
New names in the frame as Potter sack speculation intensifies
Sullivan and Brady have been hit by a major new West Ham threat in addition to the planned protests pre-Palace.
Regardless of the issues above him in the Hammers boardroom, Potter is still failing to convince he is the right man for the job.
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Many feel a firmer hand is needed given what is going on above and around the team and on the evidence of some of the meek performances West Ham have put in over the last eight months.
A number of managers have been linked as potential replacements for Potter if he cannot turn things around at the London Stadium.
Nuno Espirito Santo, Kieran McKenna and even a former Hammers manager have been linked with the West Ham job.
Graham Potter during West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Some West Ham fans label Potter ‘the PE teacher with a psychology degree’.
Others are keen to point out he is a project manager who needs time – and a lot more than one underwhelming summer transfer window – to build that project.
After four defeats from the opening five games of the season, there is no hiding the fact Potter is under pressure.
There were positive signs in the 3-0 win at Forest but the capitulation against rivals Spurs has angered and worried fans in equal measure.
Sometimes the pressure on managers starts to show in team selection and tactics.
Journalist shares Potter’s private stance on his West Ham future
Potter has been criticised over his refusal to ditch zonal marking and the fact he has stuck by Mads Hermansen as number one despite his struggles.
West Ham’s £15.5m Hermansen is the third smallest number one in the Premier League.
Fans feel he lacks command of his area as a result and the statistics show the Hammers have conceded six goals from 32 corners in just four games, new records for this stage of the season on both counts.
Many fans feel the Dane needs to come out of the team while Potter was also criticised for not playing a striker against Spurs.
Potter has also been slammed over his constant tinkering with the team’s formation and key partnerships.
Speculation is swirling over the manager’s future.
It has been claimed Potter could be sacked if West Ham lose to Crystal Palace at home this weekend.
Although most of the grievances pre-date Potter, usually when fans turn on owners it can only be bad news for the manager.
So how does Potter and his players see his current situation?
A journalist has shared whether Potter privately thinks he is done at West Ham as a star speaks out.
Callum Wilson during West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
According to The Athletic’s West Ham reporter Roshane Thomas, Potter remains confident he will be a success at the club.
Thomas has reiterated reports elsewhere in claiming there could be ‘huge implications for Potter’s future’ if the poor results continue.
“From my regular interactions with him at press conferences, he remains confident he is the right man for the job,” Thomas said.
“There have been occasions, however, where he has lost his cool slightly. Following the 3-2 defeat away to Brighton & Hove Albion in April… he was animated and nearly cracked post-match, having threatened to swear.
“Before the 5-1 home demolition by Chelsea last month, he also seemed to be less than happy with a question about the team lacking squad depth. It felt different to the responses we have had from previous head coaches (David) Moyes and Lopetegui.”
West Ham as star defends hard-working Potter
As Potter fights for his future, one senior West Ham star has spoken out in his defence.
On the latest episode of West Ham’s Iron Cast, Callum Wilson has revealed nobody is working harder than Potter to turn things around.
He also says West Ham must show patience with Potter because he still doesn’t know the best formation or starting line-up.
“I know it’s easily said, but it’s still very early days,” Wilson said.
“We’re still finding our best formation, our best team line-up and we’re all working together.
“No-one more so than the manager you know.
“He’s first in, last out, dedicated to us to improve individually as well as a team. We’re doing the same and that’s reciprocated…
“I think it’s important as players, staff, fans and with the club that we all stay united. It’s important that we all push in the same direction and everyone wants to be successful.”
"It's important we all stay united"
Callum Wilson joins us on Iron Cast 🗣️
— West Ham United (@WestHam) September 18, 2025
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That is good to hear of course.
And it tallies with a shock statement on Potter from West Ham’s owners amid fan unrest.
But West Ham simply must be able to get enough results to buy Potter the time to build.
Or else it is going to be yet another West Ham project that ends early.