Just a few weeks ago, the mood around West Ham United was as dour as it had been in years, and yet now there is a genuine sense of optimism surrounding the club.
This quite dramatic change in sentiment is, of course, down to Nuno Espírito Santo's side finally putting in performances worthy of the badge, beating Newcastle United and Burnley 3-1 and 3-2, respectively.
On top of the wins, the fans have also seen Freddie Potts given a genuine chance in the first team, and so far, he's looking every bit the future star so many thought he'd be.
West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo reacts
So, supporters should be seriously excited about another player in the academy who could be the next Potts.
Why West Ham fans should be excited about Potts
Now, the headline from the last couple of gameweeks is, and should be, the fact that West Ham have picked up six points from six.
However, it's impossible to ignore the side story of Potts finally getting his full first-team debut and then earning a second start in as many games.
The Englishman was utterly impeccable against the Toon. He delivered quintessential all-action central midfield performances and was more than deserving of his Man of the Match award.
He was once again bossing the midfield against the Clarets on Saturday afternoon before going off with what looked like a leg injury, although thankfully it has since been revealed to have only been a dead leg.
Despite being on the pitch for just 62 minutes, the 22-year-old played three key passes, took 56 touches, won 66% of his tackles, made six clearances, won six of nine ground duels and made four recoveries.
It was another showing that demonstrated just why fans are right to be excited about the academy gem.
The Barking-born monster, who, according to one analyst, is blessed with a "supreme confidence and ability to create time and space on the ball", looks like he could develop into the perfect central midfielder for a Premier League side looking to climb the table.
potts
So it's good news that the academy may have already produced another prospect who could be Nuno's next Potts.
West Ham's next Potts
While the first team has been largely disappointing over the last couple of years, the academy has continued to produce exciting prospects for West Ham. One of those talents, and someone who could be the next Potts, is George Earthy.
Earthy
Now, while the youngster can and has played in several positions across the pitch, he is primarily an attacking midfielder. However, where he plays on the pitch has very little to do with the comparisons to and why he could be another Potts.
Instead, one of the main points of comparison is that, while he hasn't had many first-team chances, the 21-year-old is viewed as one of the most exciting prospects at the club and has a youth record to prove it.
Earthy's Junior Record
Team
Appearances
Minutes
Goals
Assists
Goal Involvements per Match
Minutes per Goal Involvement
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, in 60 appearances for the u18s, totalling 4804 minutes, he scored 25 goals and provided 18 assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.39 games, or every 111.72 minutes.
Then, in 53 appearances for the u21s, totalling 3573 minutes, he scored 17 goals and provided 13 assists, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.76 games, or every 119.1 minutes, and was enough for him to be named Young Hammer of the Year at the end of the 2023/24 season.
With it clear that the "priceless" gem, as dubbed by coach Steve Potts, was too good for academy football, the club sent him on loan to Bristol City last season, where he once again won another young player of the year award.
Now, in addition to being very highly rated from a young age, something else the Havering-born gem shares with the Hammers' current man of the moment is a love for the club.
Yes, on top of being one of their own, having graduated from the academy, the 21-year-old is a West Ham supporter and even travelled to Prague to watch the side lift the Conference League as a fan.
Ultimately, while they play different roles, Earthy shares a lot in common with Potts, and his impressive record in the academy and with Bristol should see him earn his first competitive start for West Ham sooner rather than later.