Pressure is mounting of Graham Potter after West Ham’s heavy defeat to Chelsea on Friday with the Hammers now sat bottom after two weeks of the Premier League season
Graham Potter has struggled for answers so far with the pressure mounting
Graham Potter’s job at West Ham is safe for now, but the ex-Brighton boss needs to improve results soon if he wants to remain in his role at the London Stadium.
The Hammers’ poor start to the season continued on Friday night as they were hammered 5-1 by Chelsea. Despite taking the lead, the Blues quickly took control of the game and made light work of West Ham with the stadium almost empty with 10 minutes remaining.
Potter has not yet been in his role for a year having only arrived in January to replace Julen Lopetegui. However, West Ham are already being tipped as possible relegation contenders having conceded eight times in the first two games of the season.
They begun their campaign with a 3-0 hammering at newly promoted Sunderland and the heat is ramping up on Potter, who has only won five of the games he’s been in charge for. That gives him a win percentage of just over 23.
The Daily Mail reports that he will remain in charge for this week’s games against Wolves in the Carabao Cup and then Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, but more damaging results could force the board to consider acting.
READ MORE: Gary Neville aims subtle dig at Tottenham in verdict on Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze transferREAD MORE: Marcus Rashford dragged off at half-time of first Barcelona start as fans make voices heard
Potter said after their hammering on Friday: “Incredibly disappointed of course with the result. A good start, scored a great goal and then conceded a cheap goal and that probably set the tone for the evening. We played a top side but the manner of the goals we conceded made it impossible for us. We have to do better. We have to dust ourselves down and prepare to play against Wolves. Keep going.”
Potter has endured a frustrating summer with Mohamed Kudus, one of the team’s leading lights in attack, moving on for Tottenham. Jean-Clair Todibo has been their major summer signing, but he was on loan at the club last year.
West Ham have shipped eight goals in two games so far(Image: Justin Setterfield)
The Hammers boss refused to be drawn on the need for new faces in the final week of the transfer window, instead underlining the need for them to become far more solid defensively. “We will always look but its more fundamental than that, we have to make it harder for teams to score against us,” he said.
West Ham have been in the top flight since their promotion via the play-offs in 2012. Only two years ago they claimed the Conference League title but they’ve struggled to build on that success.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£43
£35
Sky
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.