Graham Potter upset next to an inset of David Sullivan watching on
(Credit: Imago)
Niall Togher
Fri 22 August 2025 14:10, UK
David Sullivan will be keeping a close eye on Graham Potter’s position as West Ham manager in the coming days and weeks.
With just five wins from his first 20 competitive games in charge, Potter’s position at West Ham is naturally under scrutiny.
This scrutiny grew even further after West Ham were handily beaten by Sunderland in the first game of the Premier League campaign.
And now tensions between Sullivan and Potter could be set to grow even further after the English manager’s latest comments.
West Ham head coach Graham Potter looking frustrated.
Potter is clearly not happy with West Ham’s recruitment so far this summer (Credit: Imago)
Graham Potter speaks out on lack of West Ham spending
West Ham’s transfer business has been underwhelming so far, and despite Karren Brady’s suggestions that the fanbase is optimistic, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
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Speaking in his pre-game press conference on Thursday before they host Chelsea, Potter had this to say about West Ham’s spending this summer: “I think historically West Ham have spent money, have signed players.
“Signing players is easy, believe you me. You could do it. It’s easy. It doesn’t mean that they’re going to be the right ones.
“It doesn’t mean to say that the team’s going to improve. It doesn’t mean to say that in six months you’re stuck with a player that’s on too much money, that’s too old, and you can’t sell them.”
These are interesting comments when considering West Ham have brought in a 33-year-old Callum Wilson, who is clearly past his best, and whilst he may only be on a one-year deal, he certainly does not drastically improve the starting XI.
“All these things you have to take into consideration. It would be easy for me to sit here and say it would be nice to have £200million to spend, but that’s not the case,” Potter added.
“So I have to work with what I have responsibly and with the club together to make sure we’re aligned, to make sure that we end the window stronger than when we started it.”
Regardless of whether Potter has a massive budget or not this summer, Sullivan will be aware that the manager is not currently getting the best out of the players he has at his disposal, and comments like this from Potter are likely to make Sullivan spit his tea out upon reading them.
Potter currently averages one point per match as West Ham boss
The 50-year-old has overseen 10 defeats during his 20 games in charge
Graham Potter’s hunt for ‘silver bullets’
Potter also claimed he is in need of “silver bullets” to drastically improve his squad, evidently showcasing the lack of faith the Hammers boss has in the current players at his disposal.
“We need a few silver bullets there, not just one. We need a few silver bullets,” Potter said.
“I think we analyse the squad and we analyse where we think the improvements can be, and then we have to try to work within the financial position of the club to make the right decision to bring the right player and the right person here.”
When asked who he felt could be one of these potential “silver bullets”, Potter said: “There’s no silver bullet, that’s the point” in a blunt response that showcases Potter’s lack of faith in there being a quick fix for the holes that he sees in his squad.
The bottom line is that, even if West Ham do have large amounts of cash to spend, Potter has effectively admitted he may not be able to turn around the East London side’s faltering fortunes.
That is certainly not going to be music to Sullivan’s ears.
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