West Ham United finds itself in a precarious position this season, with underwhelming performances on the pitch and significant discontent behind the scenes. The Hammers currently sit just 10 points above the Premier League relegation zone, and their recent form has done little to ease concerns. With only one win in their last five league games, Graham Potter’s men are struggling to establish consistency, leaving fans and pundits questioning the direction of the club.
Tony Cottee Highlights the Bigger Issues at West Ham
Former West Ham striker Tony Cottee recently addressed the club’s ongoing struggles in an appearance on talkSPORT (18 February, 8:10 am), where he pointed out that the problems at the London Stadium extend far beyond the pitch. According to Cottee, the fundamental issue is a disconnect between the fans and the board, with supporters growing increasingly frustrated with the club’s management.
“The problem is, I think there’s a wider mess, I mean, there’s a lot of issues with the fans and the board—they’re not happy with the board,” Cottee stated. He acknowledged that unless a major financial takeover happens, West Ham will remain in this turbulent state for the foreseeable future. “Unless someone unbelievably produces a billion quid or whatever it is to buy the club out, that won’t happen in the next few years. They’ve got to get on with that—all Graham can do is concentrate on the playing side.”
This lack of unity within the club has been evident for some time, but Cottee’s comments reinforce just how deep the problems run. Even with a managerial change, the structural issues at West Ham continue to hinder progress.
The Managerial Merry-Go-Round and Lopetegui’s Downfall
West Ham started the season under Julen Lopetegui, who was appointed in an attempt to bring fresh ideas and a winning mentality to the club. However, his tenure lasted just six months, with multiple factors contributing to his downfall.
Lopetegui’s time at the club was marred by inconsistent performances, defensive vulnerabilities, and a lack of a cohesive playing style. Despite significant financial investments in new players, West Ham failed to establish any real identity on the pitch. Moreover, his relationship with technical director Tim Steidten reportedly deteriorated, and there were fallouts with key players, making his position untenable.
Another major issue under Lopetegui was the failure to adequately address the club’s defensive depth. Injuries left West Ham with just three senior center-backs, forcing them to deploy Aaron Wan-Bissaka—a right-back—out of position. The club’s lack of preparation and planning for potential injuries exposed its deeper squad-building flaws.
In the end, the combination of poor results, internal conflicts, and tactical inconsistencies led to Lopetegui’s sacking, with Graham Potter stepping in to steady the ship.
Can Graham Potter Fix the Problems at West Ham?
Graham Potter’s appointment was met with optimism from sections of the fanbase, primarily due to his impressive work at Brighton. While his time at Chelsea was less successful, many believed that with the right backing, Potter could rebuild West Ham and implement a progressive playing style.
However, Potter has inherited a squad that is not necessarily suited to his tactical philosophy. Many of the players currently at the club were signed under previous regimes, meaning that their skill sets do not align perfectly with the structured, possession-based system that Potter favors.
Moreover, West Ham’s continued struggles in the transfer market have made his job even more difficult. The club’s long-standing problem of failing to find a reliable striker remains unresolved, despite numerous high-profile signings over the years. The lack of a clinical forward has left them overly reliant on individual brilliance from players like Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus.
Potter’s biggest challenge will be balancing immediate survival with a long-term vision. His tactical approach is known for being meticulous, often requiring time to implement effectively. But with the club hovering too close to the relegation zone for comfort, time is a luxury he may not have.
The Ongoing Struggles in the Transfer Market
West Ham’s transfer dealings in recent years have been a mixed bag. While they have managed to bring in some talented individuals, such as Mohammed Kudus, Edson Álvarez, and Lucas Paquetá, the club has failed to build a truly cohesive squad.
One of the biggest areas of concern remains the lack of a quality striker. Over the past several transfer windows, the club has invested in several forwards, but none have truly solved their goal-scoring problems. Players like Sébastien Haller, Gianluca Scamacca, and Danny Ings have come and gone without making a lasting impact.
Additionally, West Ham’s defensive frailties have been exposed multiple times this season. The injury crisis at the back, coupled with the failure to sign adequate cover, has left them scrambling to find solutions within the squad. The makeshift defensive line has resulted in costly errors and poor results.
Potter’s vision likely involves a squad rebuild, but that will require significant financial backing from the board—something that remains uncertain given the ongoing fan discontent and ownership issues.
Fan Discontent and the Boardroom Disconnect
West Ham fans have long been frustrated with the club’s board, and this season has only intensified those feelings. The disconnect between the supporters and the club’s hierarchy has grown wider, with many fans feeling that their concerns are not being addressed.
One of the primary grievances is the lack of ambition in the transfer market. While West Ham has spent money, the overall squad-building strategy has lacked cohesion, leading to disjointed performances on the pitch. Additionally, the handling of managerial changes has left many questioning whether the board has a clear long-term plan for the club.
The London Stadium itself remains a point of contention among the fanbase. While it offers greater capacity than Upton Park, many supporters feel that it lacks the atmosphere and identity of their former home. The disconnect between the team and the fans has been evident in recent home performances, where the lack of energy from the stands has mirrored the lack of intensity on the pitch.
The Road Ahead: Can West Ham Avoid a Relegation Battle?
As things stand, West Ham still has time to turn their season around, but the road ahead is far from easy. Potter will need to quickly implement a system that gets the best out of his players while working within the constraints of the squad he has inherited.
The immediate goal is to ensure Premier League survival, but beyond that, significant changes are needed to restore stability to the club. Whether that involves a complete overhaul of the squad, changes in the boardroom, or a shift in transfer strategy remains to be seen.
For now, Potter’s main focus will be on securing enough points to steer West Ham clear of the relegation zone. The challenge ahead is enormous, and unless the issues both on and off the pitch are addressed, the Hammers could find themselves in an even deeper crisis.
In summary, West Ham’s problems go far beyond what happens on the pitch. The club is facing a period of significant uncertainty, with internal conflicts, poor squad planning, and growing fan discontent all contributing to their struggles. Graham Potter has a monumental task ahead of him, and unless he receives the necessary backing and support, turning things around will be a difficult challenge.