**West Ham** manager Graham Potter has spoken about the rebuild required at the London Stadium, indicating that it will take place in multiple layers.
Presumably, the initial layer was to sort out the Hammers’ failing defence, but unfortunately, it’s unclear what the next layer involves. More concerningly, there appear to be no signs that West Ham are anywhere close to adding a secondary layer of nuance to their overall play.
Most worrying of all is the possibility that the best football the team have played under Potter came in his very first match – an FA Cup tie against Aston Villa. Potter had just replaced [Julen Lopetegui](https://www.claretandhugh.info/julen-lopetegui/) in the West Ham dugout and had only conducted one training session with his new players.
During a scintillating first half, West Ham played with technique, pace, and freedom, while also looking composed at the back. Since then, however, the team has become far more defensive and pragmatic, sacrificing attacking intent in the process.
Regardless of formation or personnel changes, Potter’s West Ham appear completely blunt and unable to pose a threat to opposition goals. The Hammers have registered fewer attacks than any other Premier League side since Potter’s arrival, and results have steadily declined.
While it may not be panic stations at the London Stadium just yet, the new manager is rapidly running out of excuses. Last night’s defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers was a stark contrast between two teams under new leadership – one showing clear signs of progress, the other slipping further behind.