Report | Graham Potter reveals his real ambition for West Ham

Six points in two games, two clean sheets and West Ham are climbing the table again. Difficult to believe – and important to remember – that Graham Potter hasn’t yet completed two months of tenure as West Ham head coach and already he has steadied the ship. Bringing young talent from the academy, improving squad morale so that the ‘want-away’ factor disappeared and an attractive loan signing in January has helped but Potters’ main achievement to date has been creating a ‘defence that can defend’.

Three at the back, plus wing-backs marauding forward, looks to be his chosen style and one for which the personnel are both well prepared and well capable. West Ham can start looking up at the likes of Manchester United, Spurs sitting just above them now rather than casting nervous eyes over their shoulder at the relegation battle just below.

Starting at the back of the team, Potter has righted the ship and stopped the rot. Moving forward will take creative use of new money and careful accumulated cash from player sales.

Graham Potter, though, has far higher objectives in the coming seasons. As Roshane Thomas identifies in the nytimes/athletic, (“Graham Potter’s West Ham template is set – summer transfers will dictate his success”).

European football is not as unreachable as many believe, looking at Hammers’ current lowly 15th place in the Premier League. As Thomas confirmed :”Potter allowed himself a faint smile when talking about West Ham’s improvement. This team has potential and, with the right additions this summer, the supporters’ wishes for Europe may come true once more.”

Of course, the missing ingredients – striker and midfield powerhouse, won’t come cheap.

All will depend upon the board backing Potter in the summer window. With Tim Steidten now departed, the chances are Potter and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay can do a better job of identifying players who can help Potter’s European ambition come to fruition.