West Ham United parted ways with David Moyes at the end of last season, and then in January, Graham Potter became our second manager since the Scot’s exit.
Julen Lopetegui oversaw a disastrous six-month spell in charge of West Ham after replacing David Moyes, but Graham Potter is now at the helm at the London Stadium, and has steadied the ship.
Moyes actually admitted himself that he was surprised as to how far the Hammers fell off after he left the club.
But now Potter has us back on track.
The new Hammers head coach has massively lifted the spirits amongst the Hammers squad.
Graham Potter is a class above former West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui in every single department.
However, he’ll have to go some if he is to eclipse what Moyes achieved in East London.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
David Moyes brought genuine success to West Ham whilst Graham Potter is hoping to emulate that whilst delivering some really attractive football.
I firmly believe we are on a path towards something very special with Potter.
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The 49-year-old Hammers boss certainly talks a good game, and now he just needs his players to back that up on the pitch.
West Ham boss Graham Potter on another level to David Moyes
The Hammers head coach is clearly determined to oversee an exciting and prosperous period of success at the London Stadium.
Moyes ended our 43-year trophy drought, and now Potter has to ensure that he matches the Scot in that particular department.
However, the next level for West Ham will be to achieve success WHILST entertaining the fans.
We haven’t had that combination at West Ham since the 1970’s.
If anyone can do that, Potter can. If he is given the time to succeed at the London Stadium, I have every faith that he’ll guide us to a period of genuine success.
The upcoming summer transfer window will be crucial to his hopes of achieving just that.
Graham Potter is plotting a big squad revamp at West Ham, and boy do we need that.
If the former Brighton and Chelsea boss gets his summer recruitment spot on, the Hammers will be in a great position to really kick on next season.
Potter has already made one big statement that we didn’t hear during Moyes’s tenure at the club.
Graham Potter is a refreshing change to David Moyes at West Ham
During Moyes five-year Hammers tenure, he never once said something that Potter has continually repeated since taking charge at the London Stadium.
Potter has highlighted time and time again how his remit at West Ham is to deliver an exciting brand of football AND consistently good results.
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
He spoke about the need for that when he first got the job at West Ham, as quoted by WHUFC.com:
“We have to really try to build a team that the supporters can be proud of, that they can recognise, and that really represents the values and quality of this Club. Then, we just need to keep looking forward, work really hard and earn our results.
“I think that’s what the fans want and demand – hard work, and leaving everything on the pitch – but with some quality as well, which I think there is plenty of here.
“I think if you ask most supporters, they would say they want to be entertained, and I think that’s the case at West Ham with all the Club’s history and tradition. With all of that, and with my experiences, that’s something we’ll be looking to do.
“Enjoyment is important, and I think if the players are enjoying themselves, that can help transmit enjoyment to the terraces. You have to look like you want to play football, because at the end of the day we’re in a fantastically privileged position. That’s something I’ve believed in through my entire career.“
However, Potter also highlighted the need for balance:
“I think football’s about balance though, and I don’t think you can talk about attacking football if you’re not stable at the back or defensively sound. So, we need to make sure we’re doing that.“
Before the clash against Leicester he highlighted how important good results are in football, via the club’s official YouTube account.
So it’s all very much about balance for Potter.
In stark contrast, Moyes was only every interested in getting results, by hook or by crook.
I’m not here to criticise the 61-year-old – he brought some fantastic times to the London Stadium, and gave us all everlasting memories.
However, Graham Potter’s challenge is to usurp what David Moyes achieved at West Ham on multi-faceted levels.
That will obviously not be easy, but I’m convinced he has what it takes to bring the glory days back to West Ham.