Graham Potter has delivered a surprise message to West Ham fans ahead of facing Chelsea – be more like Sunderland.
The doom and gloom that has hung over West Ham for more than 18 months descended once again after the demoralising 3-0 opening day defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland.
Earlier in the summer Paul Merson said Sunderland would fancy finishing above West Ham to stay in the Premier League and break the cycle of the three promoted teams going straight back down.
Their comfortable 3-0 win over Graham Potter’s hapless Hammers showed why.
Sunderland have spent more than £150m on signings on their return to the top flight.
The Black Cats even allegedly beat the Irons to their record capture of Habib Diarra.
Potter promised West Ham fans an “exciting and interesting” summer window.
But West Ham’s big pledge of rebuilding the team around young, hungry talent has been a massive letdown thus far.
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Only four players have arrived.
Only two of them have been signed for the starting XI while free agents Kyle Walker-Peters and Callum Wilson were brought in as back-ups.
Potter has been talking up a big change in the atmosphere, attitude and outlook in the West Ham dressing room.
The Hammers boss says the team is more aligned, together and better bonded than they were in the ‘low trust environment’ he took over from Julen Lopetegui in January.
None of that was evident as West Ham rolled over and had their bellies tickled by an impressive Sunderland side who battled, took their chances and defended resolutely.
The result has seen dark clouds of negativity loom large over the London Stadium ahead of the first home game of West Ham’s campaign against London rivals Chelsea.
Graham Potter and Niclas Fullkrug after Sunderland v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
West Ham’s rented bowl-shaped stadium can be electric under the lights when the fans like what they see.
The problem is the Hammers fans have been given little to like for the last 18 months.
And their Premier League form was poor before that too, a flirtation with relegation masked by the club’s only major trophy of the last 45 years that season.
The London Stadium atmosphere has reflected what has been served up on the pitch in recent times.
Fans have been bored watching the Hammers under Potter.
Potter tells West Ham fans to be like Sunderland’s
Five wins in his 20 games is the most damning statistic.
But West Ham fans will get behind something if they are given hope or a style of football they can buy into.
During Potter’s time in charge last season West Ham had the least chances created and shots of any team in the Premier League.
Hammers fans will be expecting and demanding a response against Chelsea on Friday night.
And Potter has told West Ham fans to be like Sunderland’s after being blown away by what he saw.
Graham Potter applauds West Ham fans during a lap of honour at the London Stadium
Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images
Stadium of Light atmosphere ‘one of best I’ve seen’ says Potter
The 50-year-old said he accepts that the result at Sunderland ‘creates negativity’ amongst fans and in the press.
When asked if West Ham need their fans behind them against Chelsea, Potter instantly praised Sunderland’s support at the Stadium of Light.
He admitted he was left blown away by the Black Cats’ supporters in a clear hint for Hammers fans to take inspiration in getting behind their team.
Although he was quick to point out it is up to him and his team to ‘rebuild trust’ with West Ham’s fed up fanbase to improve the atmosphere at the London Stadium.
“I have to say the atmosphere at Sunderland was one of the best I’ve ever experienced in the Premier League to be fair,” Potter said in a direct response to being asked how much he needs West Ham fans to get behind the team against Chelsea.
“Obviously it makes a difference, of course it does, because that environment, that atmosphere, you want it to be like that (at the London Stadium).
“But our responsibility is to help our supporters get to that point.
“We have to play better, get better results, we need to connect more with our home fans and in that way it’s a great game for us (against Chelsea to try and do that).”
West Ham fans won’t like being compared to another club’s fans like this.
Potter was honest enough to admit he and his players must get fans back onside.
But of course the Stadium of Light is going to be rocking on their big return to the Premier League.
In terms of trajectory, West Ham and Sunderland are heading in very different directions.
And that is reflected in the mood of the fanbase.
Potter needs to stop with the excuses and start getting a tune out of his West Ham team.
Because he has had seven months in the job and a full pre-season and most are none the wiser.