During a radio interview before West Ham’s 4-0 win over Wolves, I was asked to describe former manager Graham Potter in one word.
The word I chose was simple: passive.
Why Potter question resurfaced
The topic came up after Potter helped Sweden qualify for the World Cup, prompting the question — were West Ham the problem rather than the manager?
There’s no denying the club operates under poor ownership, with a lack of clarity around recruitment structure from season to season. That does offer some mitigation.
But the idea that no manager could succeed under these conditions doesn’t hold up.
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Potter’s muddled tactics were never clear at West Ham
Others have shown it can be done
It takes a certain personality to work under the dated stewardship of David Sullivan and Karren Brady, but David Moyes managed it.
And now, despite a slow start, Nuno Espirito Santo is beginning to show the same.
A clear view on Potter’s time
Statistically, Potter remains the worst full-time manager in West Ham’s history.
That aligns with what was seen on the pitch and I won’t shift from my position that he was useless.
When I described him as passive, it was because the team lacked energy, fight and any clear pattern of play. Even after 25 games, it was hard to identify what his tactical approach actually was.
Contrast clear in Wolves performance
That contrast was evident again against Wolves.
Taty Castellanos’ two goals both came from West Ham pressing high and winning the ball in dangerous areas — something that has become a clear feature under Nuno.
The key point is that the players involved were already at the club during Potter’s tenure.
Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen both won possession high up the pitch, with Castellanos finishing and Pablo Felipe heavily involved in the build-up.
A shift in identity
This wasn’t passive football.
It was a team pressing, forcing mistakes and playing on the front foot — clear instructions from a manager who knows exactly what he wants.
Statistic Value
Total Games 25
Wins 6
Draws 5
Losses 14
Win Percentage 24%