Home SPORTS Potter's West Ham Side Crumbles Under Pressure

Potter's West Ham Side Crumbles Under Pressure

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Graham Potter
Graham Potter


West Ham United's struggles under Graham Potter continue with a 3-2 loss to Wolves in the Carabao Cup. The win highlights Wolves' growing momentum, while West Ham's defensive issues raise concerns about their future prospects.


The goals conceded by West Ham were part of a concerning trend, with the team having conceded 11 goals in just...


West Ham's Carabao Cup defeat could spell trouble for Graham Potter, given the team's struggles this season. After a dismal start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, the Hammers were hoping for a respite in the cup competition. However, their league form has been abysmal, with eight goals conceded in just two games - a 3-0 loss to Sunderland and a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea.


Key Concerns for West Ham:

Defensive Vulnerability: West Ham has conceded an average of 4 goals per match in their last two Premier League games, highlighting significant defensive issues.

Lack of Balance: Potter has emphasized the need to find a balance between defense and attack, but the team's current form suggests they're struggling to achieve this.

Tactical Changes: Potter has adopted a back five in 10 of his 14 matches, which has led to a decrease in goals conceded (0.9 per match) compared to playing with a back four (1.5 per match). However, this hasn't translated to wins and points for the team.



Potential Impact on Potter's Tenure:

A continued string of defeats could put Potter's job at West Ham under scrutiny. With the team's poor league form and potential cup exit, Potter faces increasing pressure to deliver results and find a winning formula. His ability to adapt tactics and balance defense with attack will be crucial in determining his success at the club.


West Ham United Managerial Records

Graham Potter's tenure as West Ham United manager has been underwhelming, with a worse win record than his predecessor, Julen Lopetegui, after 22 games in charge. Potter's side recently suffered a defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup, exacerbating concerns among East London fans.


Lopetegui's Record:

  • Games in Charge: 22
  • Wins: 7
  • Draws: 5
  • Losses: 10
  • Goals Scored: 26
  • Goals Conceded: 44
  • Win Percentage: 31.82%



Comparison with Potter:

Potter's record after 22 games stands at 5 wins, 5 draws, and 10 losses, with a win percentage of 25%. This is worse than Lopetegui's record in the same number of games.


Reasons for Concern:

Home Wins: Only 4 home wins in 22 games have raised concerns about Potter's ability to get the best out of his team at the London Stadium.

Goal Difference: A negative goal difference, coupled with a lackluster win record, has left the board with little choice but to consider Potter's future at the club.


Graham Potter's tenure as West Ham United manager has been underwhelming, with a win percentage of 22.7% after 22 games in charge. He has secured only five wins, with two coming at the London Stadium, and has drawn five matches while losing 12. The team's attacking output has been limited, scoring just 26 goals, but defensively, they've shown some improvement, conceding 36 goals.


Key Stats:

  • Games Managed: 22
  • Wins: 5 (22.7% win percentage)
  • Draws: 5
  • Losses: 12
  • Goals Scored: 26
  • Goals Conceded: 36
  • Home Wins: 2


Potter's record is worse than his predecessor, Julen Lopetegui, who won seven games and lost 10 in the same number of games. Lopetegui's tenure lasted six months, while Potter's performance will be under scrutiny as the season progresses.


Wolves vs. West Ham: A Cup Thriller

Wolves and West Ham United, both struggling in the Premier League, produced an exciting Carabao Cup match despite their poor league form. The two teams had lost their first two Premier League games, with Wolves conceding fewer goals than West Ham. Given their league positions, supporters might have expected a dull match, but the cup fixture turned out to be anything but boring.


The last meeting between Wolves and West Ham United at Molineux saw Jorgen Strand Larsen score the only goal in a 1-0 win for the hosts. However, in the recent Carabao Cup match, Larsen started on the bench, which seemed like an unusual choice given Wolves' goal drought of 195 minutes. The Midlands team had last scored against Brentford in May, making their recent struggles a concern.


West Ham dominated the early stages of the match, creating scoring opportunities with three shots on target within the first two minutes. Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, and Tomas Soucek all had chances to put the visitors ahead, but Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa made crucial saves to keep his team in the game. Despite West Ham's early pressure, Wolves eventually took the lead with Rodrigo Gomes' goal in the 43rd minute.




Graham Potter's West Ham Suffer Another Setback

West Ham's problems were evident despite equal possession (49.3% vs 50.7% for Wolves). A lazy tackle from Guido Rodriguez led to a penalty opportunity for Wolves just before halftime. Although Hwang Hee-Chan's shot hit the woodwork, Rodrigo Gomes capitalized on the rebound to give Wolves a 1-0 lead heading into the break. West Ham had created early chances with shots on target from Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, and Tomas Soucek, but failed to convert them.


West Ham United's Carabao Cup match against Wolves didn't start on a good note, given their history of not winning any of their last six cup matches after conceding first. The last time they overcame this hurdle was in August 2018, when they beat AFC Wimbledon. However, the team showed great resilience and determination in the second half, coming out strong and equalizing through Tomas Soucek's well-placed header. Despite Soucek winning only one aerial duel in the match, his goal was crucial in turning the game around for West Ham.


The match's dynamics changed after Wolves took the lead with Rodrigo Gomes' goal following a lazy tackle from Guido Rodriguez that resulted in a penalty. Hwang Hee-Chan's shot hit the woodwork, but Gomes capitalized on the rebound. West Ham's early struggles were evident, but they managed to level the score after halftime, setting the stage for a thrilling comeback. Unfortunately, Wolves ultimately won the match 3-2, with Jorgen Strand Larsen scoring twice off the bench.




Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen had some promising moments, with Soucek managing five touches in the opposition box and Bowen delivering a pinpoint cross that led to a crucial goal. Lucas Paqueta scored a stunning headed goal from Bowen's cross just after the hour mark, although it came against the run of play as Wolves had dominated possession and shots on goal in the preceding minutes. Paqueta and Niclas Fullkrug had limited touches in the Wolves area, with three and one respectively, highlighting West Ham's struggles to create scoring opportunities.


Wolves' Dominance

After West Ham took the lead with Lucas Paqueta's stunning headed goal, Wolves' relentless pressure paid off. They had 15 shots inside the West Ham box, compared to six for the visitors, and dominated with 29 touches in the box and 25 crosses. Jhon Arias and Hwang Hee-Chan's direct running continued to cause problems for West Ham's defense. When Vitor Pereira brought on four substitutes with 18 minutes to play, they made an immediate impact.


Jorgen Strand Larsen's introduction from the bench proved to be a game-changer. He scored twice, changing the course of the match and securing a 3-2 win for Wolves. Larsen's impact was significant, as he capitalized on West Ham's defensive vulnerabilities and helped Wolves overcome a deficit. The win was a testament to Wolves' determination and depth, as they overcame adversity to progress in the Carabao Cup.




Wolves dominated possession in the latter stages of the match, holding 67.2% of the ball over a 15-minute period. Their efforts paid off when Jorgen Strand Larsen came off the bench and scored twice in quick succession, capitalizing on a mistake from Alphonse Areola. The first goal came nine minutes after Strand Larsen's introduction, and he scored again two minutes later, marking the first time Wolves had scored three goals in a match since August 29, 2023, when they beat Blackpool 5-0.


The goals conceded by West Ham were part of a concerning trend, with the team having conceded 11 goals in just three games across all competitions this season. Strand Larsen's brace off the bench ultimately sealed the win for Wolves, with the final score ending 3-2 in their favor.


Post-Match Analysis

Graham Potter's comments after West Ham's loss to Wolves, suggesting everyone should “look at the positives,” seem optimistic given the team's struggles. The Hammers did manage to edge Wolves in passing, completing 452 passes compared to Wolves' 450. Additionally, West Ham boasted a slightly better success rate in dribbles, with 66.7% of their attempts proving successful. However, these statistics didn't translate into tangible results on the pitch, as Wolves' relentless pressure and clinical finishing ultimately secured their 3-2 win.


The mismatch between these statistics and the game's outcome highlights West Ham's ongoing issues. Despite Jarrod Bowen's contributions, including a pinpoint cross for Lucas Paqueta's headed goal, West Ham's defensive vulnerabilities were exposed, leading to Wolves' win. This loss underscores the team's need to improve their defensive solidity and capitalize on scoring opportunities.


Graham Potter's job security is hanging in the balance after West Ham United's dismal performance against Wolves. The team's captain, Jarrod Bowen, had a heated exchange with some angry fans at full-time, which could have escalated into a more intense confrontation if not for the intervention of Tomas Soucek and security personnel. This incident highlights the growing frustration among West Ham fans, who have seen their team struggle under Potter's leadership.


Potential Consequences of Another Loss

Managerial Future: If West Ham loses to Nottingham Forest in their next match, Potter's position could become untenable, potentially leading to his dismissal during the international break.

Bowen's Status: The team's star forward has become increasingly important to the club, and his future may be tied to Potter's. If Potter is sacked, Bowen's status at the club could be reevaluated.


West Ham United's history suggests that the club doesn't hesitate to make managerial changes when results aren't forthcoming. Julen Lopetegui's dismissal after just eight months in charge, despite a significant investment in transfers, serves as a recent example. Potter's ability to turn the team's season around will be closely watched, and another loss could seal his fate.


The Match Highlights

  • Thrilling Comeback: Wolves came from behind to win the match 3-2, with Jorgen Strand Larsen scoring twice off the bench after West Ham had taken the lead through Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta.
  • Early Goal: Rodrigo Gomes had given Wolves the lead in the 43rd minute, but West Ham turned the game around before Strand Larsen's brace changed the outcome.

  • Cup Progression: The win sent Wolves through to the third round of the Carabao Cup, giving them a much-needed boost.



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