Graham Potter could take charge of West Ham for the last time if they lose to Crystal Palace and cult hero Martin Allen has spoken out after what he has heard.
The vultures are circling Graham Potter as West Ham welcome Crystal Palace to the London Stadium.
It has been widely reported that the under-fire board could sack Potter should the Hammers lose to the Eagles, who will be no pushovers as they look to make it 17 competitive games unbeaten.
West Ham can only dream of such a record of consistency.
For context, West Ham have only won 17 of their last 61 Premier League matches dating back to the turn of the year in 2024.
Judgement day for Potter’s West Ham future
Unfortunately for Potter, he has been unable to turn the Hammers around in his eight months at the helm thus far.
Julen Lopetegui’s appointment looked like a disaster as he became West Ham’s shortest-serving permanent manager in their 130-year history, sacked after six months with just six wins to his name.
But things have got even worse under Potter.
The former Chelsea boss only added another five in his 19 matches last season, meaning the jury was well and truly out this term.
The English coach asked fans and the owners to judge him once he had a full pre-season under his belt and some of his own signings in the door.
That judgement may come sooner than he or anyone may have liked, though.
Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Four defeats from the first five games of the season and 14 goals conceded have seen the Hammers installed as relegation candidates in the minds of many journalists, pundits and fans.
The 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest suggested Potter may be able to get West Ham moving in an upward trajectory.
But the whole club was brought crashing back down to earth by the dismal 3-0 defeat to bitter rivals Tottenham last weekend.
Potter’s team selection and tactics were heavily criticised as the Hammers were rolled over far too easily in what was their biggest home game of the season.
Off the back of a 5-1 home defeat to another London rival Chelsea before that, many fans have seen enough.
A mass walkout at the London Stadium was a clear indication of what supporters think about West Ham right now.
They will gather in their masses before the Palace game too in order to protest against the owners.
Allen speaks out on Potter situation after what he’s heard
West Ham put up a popular star to quell protests ahead of the game.
But it will not deter supporters, who have reached the end of their tether over the way the board have run the club.
That includes their conduct in lining up potential replacements when managerial appointments aren’t working out.
In the same week West Ham publicly backed Potter in an official club statement, it has been leaked to the press that the likes of Nuno Espirito Santo, Kieran McKenna, Slaven Bilic, Gary O’Neil and Sean Dyche are on a list to replace him.
It was claimed McKenna was in the West Ham director’s box for the defeat to Spurs.
It was then revealed the Hammers hierarchy held talks with Nuno about replacing Potter ahead of the Palace game.
Nuno was then pictured near David Sullivan’s mansion after those West Ham talks as he emerges as the leading candidate to step in following his departure from Forest.
Now West Ham cult hero Martin Allen has spoken out on the Potter situation after what he’s heard.
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Many may feel sympathy for Potter with the board accused of lacking class in their handling of the situation.
However, the Hammers boss was on the other side of this particular scenario not too long ago.
He was pictured meeting Tim Steidten after West Ham lost at Leicester last season, a result which proved to be the beginning of the end for Lopetegui.
Allen remains a favourite among Hammers fans and is not shy in voicing his opinion on club matters on social media.
The former West Ham midfielder, affectionately nicknamed ‘Mad Dog’ by fans, can relate to the managerial situation having been in the dugout himself at eight different clubs.
‘Shocking conduct’ Allen relates to Potter’s West Ham pain
Allen does not like what he has been hearing about West Ham’s actions as they reportedly line up replacements for Potter.
He says the Hammers boss will be drained by all the noise, having experienced it himself at one of his former clubs.
Allen described the situation as ‘shocking’ and hopes the team can pull out a win to keep Potter in the job.
“Mr Potter will be aware of the speculation on him getting sacked,” Allen said on X.
“The mental pain drains energy, creates doubt and is painful.
“I’ve had it too like that.
“My former chairman had the new manager sat in the director’s box watching the game with him.
“Shocking conduct I hope we win!”
Mr Potter will be aware of the speculation on him getting sacked
The mental pain drains energy, creates doubt and is painful
I’ve had it too like that
My former chairman had the new manager sat in the directors box watching the game with him.
Shocking conduct
I hope we win !
— Martin Mad Dog Allen (@MartinAllen1965) September 19, 2025
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West Ham face Palace in a 3pm kick-off at the London Stadium.