West Ham’s sporting director Mark Noble has clearly moved to reassure manager Graham Potter after some early fan discontent.
Like Julen Lopetegui before him, there has been no honeymoon period for Graham Potter at West Ham.
The chance would be a fine thing.
West Ham have won just 15 of their last 56 games in all competitions.
That dates back to the start of January 2024 and spans three managers.
It has been a pretty inauspicious start to life at West Ham for Potter in terms of results and performances.
Potter murmurings from some West Ham fans
There have been some glimpses of what the Hammers might be capable of under their new manager.
The win over Arsenal and performances at Chelsea and Aston Villa, in the Premier League and FA Cup, being prime examples.
But equally there’s been some poor and unconvincing displays to rival anything West Ham fans have endured over the last year or so.
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Defeats to Crystal Palace, Brentford and Newcastle at home have resulted in the team being booed by some supporters.
There were groans with the lack of excitement in the win over Leicester.
Potter has already seen both sides of West Ham fans.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
New boss sees both sides to Hammers fans
The Hammers faithful stayed long after the final whistle to applaud their side’s efforts despite a harsh 2-1 defeat at Chelsea.
Potter has repeatedly referred to West Ham’s supporters as ‘proper’, saying they are a fanbase that knows their football.
On the flip side, just two months into the job the ex Brighton boss has already seen his side booed off on several occasions.
West Ham are adamant they have the right man for the job long term after their costly Lopetegui mistake.
Potter fell foul of fans at both Chelsea and – for spells – Brighton too.
There have already been murmurings about the manager from some fans on social media.
That in itself has driven debate among fans.
The manager’s tactics against Newcastle were heavily criticised.
After the game Potter blamed Lopetegui for West Ham’s struggles to transition to his desired style of play.
He also apologised to supporters that he hasn’t been able to implement his approach more quickly.
After the criticism he endured during his time at Chelsea, Potter could be forgiven for thinking ‘here we go again’.
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
West Ham director Noble calms Potter fan fears after early jeers
But at West Ham he has Mark Noble to lean on for support and advice.
Nobody knows Hammers fans like Noble.
The legend is now sporting director and acts, among other things, as the bridge between the Academy and the first team.
Now Noble has allayed any Potter fears and says he should not be perturbed by the jeers his side have already faced.
The former skipper has also dangled the carrot to Potter, saying there is nothing like the love of West Ham fans when you win their approval.
“I just think they’re (West Ham fans) honest,” Noble said when discussing Potter and the expectations of the fans on NBC Sports.
“The real passion they have for the football club is (amazing).
Noble dangles fan carrot to Potter
“I think until you come to West Ham (you might not realise) they’re such a passionate fanbase that love their football club. It’s more like a religion really than a football club.
“They let you know when it’s not going well but also they let you know when it’s going really well.
“Obviously me growing up in east London and being a part of that I know how they feel as a player and now as a director.
“They’re great and I’ve no doubt they’ll be fully get behind us (going forward under Potter).”
Most West Ham fans are realists and will know Potter needs time.
The vast majority of supporters will not be judging the manager until next season.
But the fact Potter will have had the luxury of what will essentially be a seven-month bedding in period, will bring its own pressures for next term.
And it is then that West Ham fans will really be expectant.