Two Games, Eight Goals Conceded – Is Potter Under Pressure at West Ham?
A Disastrous Start Raises Alarm Bells
Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist
West Ham fans pride themselves on patience. Vice-chair Karren Brady reiterated this after their dismal 3-0 defeat to Sunderland in the Premier League opener, stating, West Ham is not a club that panics about its managers. We tend to stick with them, support people, and see it through.
But patience is wearing thin. The Hammers’ faithful demanded a response against Chelsea—instead, they witnessed a humiliating 5-1 home defeat that left the London Stadium echoing with boos. Many supporters didn’t even stay until the final whistle.
Two matches, eight goals conceded—the worst defensive start in West Ham’s Premier League history. Manager Graham Potter is under scrutiny like never before.
Potter’s Troubled Tenure So Far
Replacing Julen Lopetegui in January, Potter has struggled to impose his philosophy at West Ham. Of his 21 games in charge, only five have ended in victory. The recent defensive collapse raises serious questions about his ability to turn things around.
Even more concerning is his record at home. Potter is the first Hammers boss in Premier League history to fail to reach double-digit points in his first 10 home games—just nine points from two wins, three draws, and five losses.
He acknowledged the need for improvement after the Chelsea drubbing: We’ve conceded eight goals in two matches—there’s no getting away from that. It has to drastically improve.
What’s Going Wrong for West Ham?
Despite a summer transfer window that brought in five new signings—including promising full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, and experienced striker Callum Wilson—West Ham looks alarmingly disjointed.
Defensive fragility, particularly from set-pieces, has been their undoing. Three of Chelsea’s five goals came from dead-ball situations, with Hermansen faltering under pressure. Captain Jarrod Bowen didn’t mince words: Fuming. Disappointing. The goals were cheap—we gifted them away.
Former Hammers goalkeeper Rob Green was equally scathing, branding their performance so far from good enough and warning, The energy isn’t there—it’s a brutal experience.
Could West Ham Be in a Relegation Battle?
While it’s too early to write them off, the signs are worrying. With just one goal scored and eight conceded, West Ham are already showing the hallmarks of a team in trouble. A weak attack and porous defense make for a dangerous combination in the Premier League.
Upcoming fixtures against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, and Crystal Palace will be crucial. If performances don’t improve fast, West Ham could find themselves dragged into a survival scrap.
Jamie Redknapp didn’t hold back: If I’m Sunderland, Burnley, or Leeds, I’m looking at West Ham and thinking, ‘They’re the weakest team—we can catch them.’
Can Potter Turn It Around?
Potter faces immense pressure to stem the bleeding. He hinted at minimal January reinforcements, instead focusing on improving the current squad: We need to do better with what we have.
But time is running out. You’re under pressure all the time in these jobs—that’s how it is, Potter admitted. His future may hinge on the next few matches and whether West Ham can shore up their defense before it’s too late.
For now, the question looms large: Is Potter under pressure? The answer, after eight goals conceded in two games, is a resounding yes.
Related Topics:
– West Ham United
– Premier League
– Football
