Lucas Paquetá’s theatrics during West Ham United’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa on January 26th definitely sparked some controversy, and Jamie Carragher was quick to call out the Brazilian midfielder for his embarrassing actions. Carragher was particularly vocal about Paquetá going down in the first half after minimal contact from Lucas Digne, something that seemed exaggerated to the point of theatrics. On Sky Sports Premier League, Carragher didn’t hold back, describing the situation as one of those “embarrassing” moments where a player should simply get up and move on. The fact that the incident was reviewed by VAR and the reaction it drew only added fuel to the fire, further highlighting the poor optics surrounding Paquetá’s actions.

For many, this moment encapsulated much of the frustration that has been building around West Ham’s recent performances. Paquetá, once a key figure under David Moyes and a player expected to shine after his transfer, had shown glimpses of regaining his form under new manager Graham Potter. However, his performances in the last two matches, including this one against Villa, have been a far cry from the level expected of him. Paquetá’s first-half performance was underwhelming, and while he did manage to redeem himself somewhat after the break, his overall contribution to the team was inconsistent and lacked the sharpness fans had come to expect. This inconsistency, paired with the dramatic dive, left many feeling disappointed in the Brazilian’s display.

Looking at the broader picture, there’s also a lot of discontent around the way West Ham is playing under Potter. While fans were hoping for a more attacking, fluid style of football with the English manager’s arrival—considering his reputation for building organized but progressive systems at Brighton—West Ham’s approach has felt more stale and defensive than anticipated. One of the key frustrations is Potter’s decision to set up with five defenders, a tactic that seems to be restricting the team’s creativity in the final third. West Ham fans were hoping for a shift toward a more dynamic, attacking brand of football, but they’ve yet to see a clear pattern of play emerge in the attacking areas. Without a reliable and consistent goal-scoring threat, West Ham has struggled to break teams down effectively.

It’s worth considering the challenge Potter faces, though. Despite his tactical acumen, the squad he inherited isn’t exactly brimming with depth and quality, especially up front. The absence of a genuine number nine has been a glaring issue, and this was particularly evident in the Villa match when Paquetá was deployed as a makeshift striker, a role that clearly didn’t suit him. The lack of a clinical finisher is holding the team back, and Potter can’t be blamed entirely for the shortcomings in that area. However, it does raise the question of how long West Ham can continue with a makeshift attacking setup, especially when points are on the line and fans expect more from a club of their stature.

Potter will need time to get things right, but there’s an increasing sense of urgency for him to instill a more identifiable and effective style of play. Simply relying on five defenders is unlikely to be a sustainable formula, and West Ham’s attacking struggles need to be addressed sooner rather than later. The manager has yet to find the right balance between solidity at the back and creativity going forward, and that’s something he needs to work on quickly if he’s to meet the high expectations that come with managing in the Premier League. West Ham fans are hoping for more than just defensive organization—they want to see their team take the initiative, dominate possession, and create chances with a clear structure in attack.

For Paquetá, the incident against Villa serves as a reminder that while individual brilliance is always welcomed, it’s just as important to maintain discipline, composure, and professionalism, especially when the team is in a tough spot. His performances need to improve to meet the standard expected of him, and that starts with cutting out the unnecessary theatrics and putting in a more consistent shift for the team.

In the coming weeks, Potter has to make key adjustments. He needs to find a tactical setup that works without overloading the defense and neglecting the attack. This might involve tweaking his formation, perhaps moving away from a back five and opting for something that gives more freedom to his attacking players. Moreover, the need for a central striker is undeniable, and it’s likely that Potter and West Ham’s board will look into the transfer market to rectify this issue before it hampers the team’s chances of climbing the table. If West Ham can find a way to be more potent in attack while retaining defensive solidity, they could begin to see the fruits of Potter’s labor. Until then, though, the pressure will be on to show tangible progress in both style and results.