Graham Potter shock: 'Major surprise over new West Ham boss vs Crystal Palace'
Yesterday at 01:39 PM
West Ham boss Graham Potter caused a major surprise with how he went about their defeat at home to Crystal Palace, with Michael Dawson left “really disappointed”.
The Hammers were drawing 0-0 with their London-rivals up until half-time in their game on Saturday (18 January).
However, during a really poor first-half from West Ham, the East London side seemed to have set-up to play in a similar unadventurous way as they had under sacked-boss Julen Lopetegui.
Palace were dominating the ball and looked in total control of the game, with the home side extremely reserved, before collapsing in the second period to lose 2-0.
Early in the match, former Tottenham defender, Dawson, pointed out on Sky Sports Soccer Special, the issues the Irons were having (3.12pm): “I’m really surprised the way West Ham have set up here. I mean they’re surrendering possession, it was 68% possession Crystal Palace had.
“And I’m like ‘I’m not too sure how long this can go on with the West Ham fans because they won’t be happy’.
“The reason I think Graham Potter’s set up like this is the amount of goals that they’ve conceded, so he goes ‘we have to try and stabilise and try and build ourselves into the game’.”
He then added five minutes later (3.17pm): “I’m really disappointed to be honest. I know they’ve got so many injuries in the attacking areas with [Niclas] Fullkrug, [Jarrod] Bowen, obviously Michail Antonio out…
“It’s so stale, I’m really disappointed.”
Graham Potter must change from Julen Lopetegui at West Ham
Football Insider Verdict
Potter’s start to life at West Ham has been a mixed bag, and the former Chelsea manager will want to see more out of his side.
An FA Cup lost to Aston Villa (10 January) was a concerning start, but his side recovered, beating Fulham 3-2 (14 January) in his first Premier League game in charge.
Against the Whites, Potter set his side up to defend from the start, and it paid off with Fulham shooting themselves in their own foot – gifting their first and third goals to the Hammers.
The former Brighton man set his side up the same way against Palace, defending deep in their own half, and were made to pay. Two goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta, one from the spot, either side of a Konstantinos Mavropanos red-card, condemned them to defeat.
There are is an uncanny resemblance to the way that Lopetegui set up his side, and Potter seems to be following the same blueprint.
It is somewhat unsurprising, given that they were both working with the same set of players, but it will be a concern for West Ham fans that their new boss is copying their previous one.
Potter may look to change his side, and style of play, in the January transfer window. The Hammers have now been linked with a shock move for Marcus Rashford.
In other news, a Chelsea defender may be making the move across London to join West Ham.
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