Exclusive: Graham Potter is ‘four games’ from the sack at West Ham
Graham Potter is fighting for his position at West Ham following a difficult start to the season as calls for his dismissal have continuned.
Football Insider revealed on 16 September that West Ham are set to stick with Potter for the time being, but the growing pressure has made their position difficult.
The board remain determined to stick by their man, despite having confirmed their dissatisfaction with the start to the season in an official statement. [West Ham]
However, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the upcoming run of fixtures against Crystal Palace, Everton, Arsenal and Brentford could be crucial.
Four huge games for West Ham could dictate the trajectory of their season, and further heavy defeats would likely see Potter dismissed by the hierarchy.
West Ham make new Graham Potter sack decision
Brown told Football Insider on 18 September that West Ham could be forced to sack Potter as a result of the ongoing fan protests against the board.
Protests are expected ahead of the crucial clash with Crystal Palace on 20 September, adding to fears the toxic atmosphere could have an impact on the pitch.
Palace will kick off a difficult run of fixtures for the Hammers, a defeat in the game would pile more pressure on the manager, with Everton, Arsenal and Brentford to follow.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “He still has the backing of the board for now, obviously they made a statement confirming their dissatisfaction with their poor start to the season.
“There are due to be a couple of protests before the Crystal Palace game which won’t do anybody any good with the negative atmosphere at the London Stadium.
“West Ham have started the season with three defeats in their opening four games, and some heavy defeats as well, they’ve conceded 11 goals.
“So the pressure is on Potter, there’s no getting away from that, he was under a lot of pressure before he picked up that win against Nottingham Forest before the international break.
“His record at the London Stadium since arriving in January is underwhelming to say the least, with six wins in all competitions, so he knows he needs to improve.
“They’ve got a huge game against Palace this weekend but it won’t be an easy game, then if he survives the Palace game it’s Everton away, Arsenal away, and a game against Brentford.
“So Potter will be hoping he can pick up a result against Palace because the fixtures aren’t getting any easier in the next few weeks with some real tough games.
“There isn’t any desire from the West Ham board to sack Potter, but results will dictate his position and defeats in those games could spell the end for him.”
Potter is desperately in need of a turn of form, and if he can put a run of wins together over the coming weeks, he still has plenty of time to secure his position at the London Stadium.
West Ham fan protests ramp up pressure on Potter
West Ham fans have demanded Potter be sacked after heavy defeats to Sunderland, Chelsea and Tottenham inside their opening four games.
Alongside growing pressure on the board at the London Stadium, a toxic atmosphere is starting to develop with unrest growing both inside and outside of the club.
During West Ham’s 3-0 defeat to Spurs, the London Stadium was almost completely empty after just 70 minutes as fans made their displeasure clear.
West Ham fans are planning to boycott their clash with Brentford on 20 October, with the fixture at the London Stadium set to be televised on Sky Sports.
Protests are also expected ahead of their home game against Crystal Palace on Saturday (20 September), with unrest now reaching boiling point.
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