Journalists attending Graham Potter’s post-match press conference couldn’t help but notice the shift in his demeanour.
Having exhausted the usual managerial platitudes, Potter openly criticised his players, who once again collapsed late in the game — the fifth time a strong second-half performance was undone by late goals.
He hinted that the team carried “baggage” from repeated failures.
Daniel Storey, writing for inews.co.uk, captures the mood perfectly in his article titled “Why Graham Potter should be having second thoughts about the West Ham job”, noting that the under-fire manager appears to be cracking under the pressure.
The issue isn’t that the job is unworkable — though the idea of tackling the upcoming transfer window without a Director of Football to oversee negotiations is certainly daunting.
Instead, the real burden is the expectation to present a facade that everything will magically improve this summer.
“Every aspect of West Ham – players, fans, manager – radiates a desperate wish to fast-forward to the end of the season and erase 2024-25 from memory,” Storey observes.
Yet reality cannot be erased. The idea that a manager spends a few months identifying problems before beginning anew is a myth.
The evidence of Potter’s struggles is already laid bare in West Ham’s dismal results, meaning he will be under immediate pressure when the new season kicks off.
With a daunting summer ahead and no background in player negotiations or recruitment, it’s no surprise Potter is showing signs of strain.
The warning signs are flashing brighter with each passing week, suggesting trouble ahead for West Ham.
Right now, it’s easy to imagine Potter longing for the return of Tim Steidten — someone who could ease the burden he faces as a manager stretched to his limits.
