Graham Potter might be the biggest loser from West Ham's loss to Sunderland.
(Credit: Imago)
Declan Carr
Sat 16 August 2025 17:25, UK
West Ham sank to a dismal 3-0 defeat to Sunderland in their Premier League opener on Saturday.
Graham Potter was hoping for a positive start to the campaign and handed debuts to Mads Hermansen and Malick El Hadji Diouf.
However, it did not go to plan, and it will be back to the drawing board for the 50-year-old after his side were outclassed by the newly-promoted side.
David Sullivan has made new additions, but it looks like the Hammers need much more after that performance.
West Ham owner David Sullivan.
Sullivan can only do so much in the market. (Credit: Imago)
Potter is in huge trouble already
Potter’s reign did not get off to a good start last season, and there was talk that West Ham could sack him, and it seems like nothing has changed.
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His Hammers side enjoyed the majority of possession and more shots, but were bettered by the hosts in terms of total shots on target.
The Mackems deserved their victory, creating an expected goals margin of 0.70, compared to 0.61 from the Irons.
Potter’s job has to come under question at some point, it is all well and good dominating possession, but when you are doing nothing with it, then what is the point?
He needs to get results, especially against newly-promoted sides.
It was expected to be an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start afresh, but it looks like the same old miserable football under the ex-Brighton man.
Stats Sunderland West Ham
Possession 37% 63%
Expected goals 0.70 0.61
Shots 10 12
Shots on target 5 4
The tale of the contest.
Scarles can be considered a winner after West Ham loss
Malick El Hadji Diouf was signed to be a starter at left-back this summer, leaving Ollie Scarles sweating over his future.
However, the 19-year-old academy graduate will have hope that he can work his way into the team after the Senegal international’s display on his debut.
Diouf seemed solid in the first half, creating two chances and making several defensive contributions; however, he could not have the same impact in the second 45 minutes.
Scarles will fancy his chances after the second-half performance from the new addition.
Fullkrug flops in West Ham loss
Niclas Fullkrug was on fire in pre-season, scoring three goals in five matches, but he could not translate that form when it mattered.
Fullkrug featured 18 times in the league last season, with just three goals and two assists
He has formed a new strike partnership with Jarrod Bowen, however, it failed to pay off, in a truly miserable display for the German.
The former Borussia Dortmund striker constantly failed to link up with his teammates, completing just 65 per cent of his 23 pass attempts.
He took eight touches in the opposition box and made two passes into the final third, and ultimately failed to make anything happen.
His physicality should be an asset, but he lost the most duels in the Stadium of Light contest, with 16 total duels lost.
If he continues to struggle, then he may find that his career at the London Stadium is over before it really had a chance to start.
Niclas Fullkrug West Ham
Fullkrug has a miserable showing in the opener. (Credit: Imago)
Potts can thrive after Rodriguez horror show
Guido Rodriguez is out of favour in East London, but he started against the newly-promoted side.
The Argentinian was hooked after 71 minutes, and another dismal display in the claret and blue to start his campaign.
The 31-year-old did not create a single chance, did not attempt a single tackle and lost the only ground duel that he attempted.
That could give Potts a chance to star in the starting line-up next time out, because surely Potter cannot persist with a poor player that he does not even want.
The 21-year-old starred on loan with Portsmouth last season, and he should be given a chance to emerge as a senior star for the Irons.
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