‘One to keep an eye on’ – Le Tissier tips Graham Potter for trouble after West Ham horror show
West Ham boss Graham Potter is already in troubled waters after the Irons were thrashed 3-0 by Sunderland in their opening Premier League game on Saturday.
That is according to former Southampton star Matt Le Tissier, who exclusively shared his opinion on Potter’s situation with Football Insider.
The Hammers were drawing 0-0 with Sunderland at half-time on 16 August, but second-half goals from Eliezer Mayenda, Dan Ballard, and Wilson Isidor secured a comprehensive victory for the Premier League new boys.
Following their defeat at the Stadium of Light, West Ham fans were left fuming with Potter, who has a lot to prove.
Potter scrutinised as West Ham lose at Sunderland
This article contains exclusive comment from former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier.
Amid their poor start to the Premier League season, Football Insider have exclusively revealed that Andy Irving could leave West Ham amid interest from Celtic and Rangers.
Meanwhile, Le Tissier weighed in on Potter’s management as he said: “People are going to start asking questions quite early.
“I think he got a little bit of an easy ride last season, given West Ham’s form. I don’t think he’ll be given the same this season.
“That’s why I tipped him up as one of the managers at quite big odds as one of the managers who might be the first to go this season and that result against Sunderland (has) certainly not done him any favours at all.
“Getting beaten so comprehensively by a team that’s just been promotes is a pretty poor way to start, and the fixtures don’t get too much easier either, because they’ve got Chelsea away in their next game.
“In fact I think their first four home games of the season are all London derbies, so it’s going to be a pretty tricky start for them.
“But you never know in football. You could pick up a result at Chelsea, all is rosy in the garden again and football can throw up results like that.
“So (it’s) a bit too soon to judge Graham and I’m sure he’ll be given a fair bit of time this season, because I think they do like him up there.
“But as I say, 3-0 defeat to Sunderland. Look, no substitutions until fairly late on in the game as well when it probably appeared that the game was not going his way.
“So, interesting one to keep an eye on. I think they’ll give him time.”
Potter must turn form around
Football Insider verdict
As alluded to by Le Tissier, West Ham’s loss at Sunderland was a far from ideal start to the Premier League season for Potter, who did not perform well last campaign when he guided the Irons to a 14th-place finish in the top flight.
| Opponent | Date |
| Chelsea (H) | 22/08 |
| Nottingham Forest (A) | 31/08 |
| Tottenham (H) | 13/09 |
The former Brighton boss could be given some leeway by the London Stadium club, as this summer marked the first full transfer window of his managerial tenure in East London.
However, Potter’s West Ham record leaves a lot to be desired, as he has steered his side to just five wins in 20 attempts.
The Hammers’ defeat to Sunderland portrayed them as an early relegation candidate, so the 50-year-old must turn their form around at the earliest possible opportunity.
But beating Chelsea next time out on Friday, 22 August, could prove to be a tough ask, after the West Londoners proved their worth when they won the Club World Cup.
Meanwhile, football commentator Ian Darke has weighed in on the Irons’ interest in Raheem Sterling in a West Ham Zone exclusive.