Graham Potter’s tough start at West Ham exposes deeper squad issues

Graham Potter’s underwhelming start at West Ham United is less about his tactics and more about the long-standing issues he inherited. Behind the scenes, the club is still dealing with the effects of poor planning, questionable recruitment, and a broken succession plan following the David Moyes era.

Tactical Limitations and Recruitment Issues
West Ham’s squad has struggled to function as a cohesive unit this season. They have been unable to defend and attack with balance, often sacrificing one for the other. The squad lacks versatility, youth, and speed — problems that stem from the decisions made by former technical director Tim Steidten.
The current recruitment is led by Kyle Macaulay, but he faces a challenging rebuild. Previous investments in players with little to no resale value have put pressure on West Ham's finances, leaving minimal room for error or large-scale spending this summer.

Potter Focused on Stabilization, Not Flair
Replacing Julen Lopetegui in January, Potter inherited a side in disarray. He immediately focused on defensive structure, attempting to stop a team that was conceding goals at an alarming rate. The change has yielded results. West Ham have improved defensively, reducing opposition shots and expected goals against. However, this has come at a cost. The team’s attacking output has dropped. Under Potter, West Ham are averaging fewer shots per game compared to Lopetegui’s time. Their expected goals tally has also fallen.

Midfield Imbalance and Squad Depth
Potter has found it difficult to identify a balanced midfield. Against Bournemouth, a trio of Edson Álvarez, Tomas Soucek, and James Ward-Prowse struggled to create. When attacking players were introduced, West Ham looked more threatening, but the team then lost its shape defensively.
Injuries have also played a role. Niclas Füllkrug is still regaining full fitness, while Crysencio Summerville and Michail Antonio remain unavailable. The lack of pace and tactical flexibility has limited Potter’s options in how he sets up the team.

Financial Constraints Ahead of a Critical Summer
Currently sitting in 16th place, West Ham are not facing immediate relegation danger, but the season has been a disappointment. With the Premier League’s financial regulations in mind, a spending spree is unlikely. Mohammed Kudus may be the club’s most valuable asset for potential transfer funds. However, selling key players could cause more disruption unless long-term replacements are found. The need for a new striker, defensive reinforcements, and midfield options is clear.

Lopetegui’s Gamble vs Potter’s Caution
Julen Lopetegui tried to shift the team into a possession-dominant style far too quickly. Potter, by contrast, has taken a conservative approach — focusing on structure and using a back three to bring defensive consistency. While West Ham’s attack has suffered, they have at least become harder to break down. Potter is not chasing quick wins. He is evaluating which players fit into his long-term plans and building toward a more sustainable setup.

Since taking over from Julen Lopetegui in January, Graham Potter has brought more defensive structure to West Ham. But how do his first 12 games compare statistically to Lopetegui’s final 12 in charge? The table below breaks it down.