Hammers Fans Need To Endure Pain Before Gain
It would be the first time in years that West Ham fans have felt so positive about a manager’s arrival, and all fans can see the vision Graham Potter is trying to get at and provide to the players as well as fans.
I’d predict that when the hiring opportunity for Potter came along, it was probably something along the lines of “You’ll have minimal money because Looney Lop spent it all in the summer, and your only goal this season is to keep us up… fancy joining?”. Remarkably, he said yes.
Since he joined, we’ve managed to find identity and some character which we can build up on, he’s attending the youth games and speaking very highly of people well respected and well-liked in the club, such as Mark Noble.
He’s also reportedly worked closely with Mark Noble when it comes to the youth, identifying who is and isn’t ready for the starting squad and who should go out on loan or comeback.
He’s ticked all the boxes so far, Potter, but unfortunately for him, he’s had total rotten luck when it comes to injuries.
West Ham now has the luxury of a 10-day break before the next match, which is at the Bowl against Brentford.
Throughout these 10 days, West Ham will see the return of Jean-Clair Todibo, Alvarez and Paqman. We’ll also see an integrated Evan Ferguson, who already appears to be happy at the club with his quotes insinuating that he’s looking to be here for longer than his loan suggests.
Along with a surprise Deadline Day return of James Ward-Prowse to the club due to West Ham and Nottingham Forest agreeing to terminate the remainder of his loan, which is the only way he was able to return to the club as the recall deadline had already passed.
Fulkrug and Antonio have already started to put eyes on a return with Big Micky about to start light training in Dubai next week, and it has been revealed that Nicholas Fulkrug’s return will be much sooner than expected after he was spotted in Dubai playing Football with the locals.
Our only major injury comes from Summerville, who was initially injured at Villa Park in the FA Cup with a suspected hamstring injury. The club confirmed that he had returned to training but picked up yet another injury, ultimately now leaving him out for eight weeks.
The injuries have been a huge setback for us; I’m surprised the curse hasn’t struck Uncle Ingy yet!
But even with all of these injuries we’ve had, which has forced Potters’ hand to play a bizarre team (four wingbacks). We’re still in the fight for our games and still putting out winning-worthy performances.
If we play like this from the start of next season and with a fit squad, who knows what level this squad could get to?
You, unfortunately, get the dismal feeling that if Dave & Others above decided to bring in Potter from the start, we well and truly could’ve been around the European spots now.
But it’s how things go in Football sometimes, swings and roundabouts.
But what it does do is bring excitement about what could come for next season and the potential possibilities.
Tim Steidten was released from his duties in the past few days, and if you choose to believe some of the stuff that was released, you could come to the conclusion that some of the corruption at the club has now been dissipated and hope has been reinstated through Potters appointment.
The future holds much excitement but it’ll be a long journey.
Sometimes the juice ain’t worth the squeeze, but in this instance, it is.
