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A trip to Aston Villa that could, at least objectively, spell the end of West Ham’s hopes of serious success this season does not exactly represent the sweetest start to Graham Potter’s reign. Then again, after 21 months out of management, it’s no surprise that the former Chelsea boss is eager to dive back in.
Having only been named on Thursday morning, Potter trained for the first time in the afternoon and did not consider the idea that he might have waited until after this FA Cup third round. evening to appear in the dugout for the first time.
“When I am here, I would like to be there and be next to [of the pitch]“, he said. “That’s why we’re here.”
It is on Premier League form that Potter will ultimately be judged and the 49-year-old’s task between now and the end of the season will be to provide enough of an improvement in results and performances to suggest the club have chosen David . Moyes’ successor is right on the second request.
But with the Hammers not in Europe for the first time in four seasons, and looking unlikely to qualify for next season, the FA Cup represents the last opportunity to get something tangible out of the campaign, having been beaten by Liverpool in the third round of the competition. Carabao Cup in September.
This of course does not mean that Potter should win the trophy, but a run for the cup would provide a focal point for what could otherwise become a windy first five months in office, until the summer offers the opportunity to ‘a real reset. Moyes himself knew what bracing Cup success could prove, ending West Ham’s 43-year drought with Conference League glory at the end of a completely miserable domestic campaign.
Villa, given their post-Champions League struggles this season, could probably do without fighting on a third front this term, but Potter’s first assignment remains daunting, not least because of the short time he moved on with his new one. players.
We just have to push ourselves, help, prepare and go into the game with a clear mindset and try to win.
Graham Potter
“We will do our best to get some ideas across and make things as simple as possible,” he said at his first news conference Thursday morning, meeting the media before introducing his team. “We don’t have time to reinvent the wheel between now and the game. So, I want them to enter the field with as much clarity as possible.
He also recognizes that morale needs a boost, having had a bizarre week for his players as they trained under a manager who the world and his wife knew was destined to leave.
“It’s been tough for them,” Potter said. “It’s not pleasant when this happens, everyone can recognize that. But they are professionals, they understand that it is also part of football.
“So now we just have to get to work, help, prepare and approach the game with a clear mindset and try to win.”
