Alex ⚒

Sports Reporter for @SunSport & Editor for @WeAre_WestHam ⚒

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

Potter isn’t immune from criticism. You need results & it’s poor. My concern, is Mr Nice Guy tough enough to sort this out?

But patience as just maybe - the players who have been underperforming for 3 different managers over 18 months are the bigger problem at the club, not him

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

Only at West Ham can you play very well for 88 mins, throw it away like that & the manager, given a badly assembled/weak-minded squad who know their times up, is blamed

Not going well for Potter but away performances in a back 3 give me belief we’re a window away from being fine

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

@AwayDayJoe_ Glad you enjoyed! Your first of many 💪

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

Expected better from Tuchel, another England boss fixated on players from top six clubs, not form

Quansah, James & Rashford haven’t played enough. Ties to big clubs get them in, not performances

Don’t care for Henderson’s “leadership”, over Gibbs-White & Anderson is scandalous

[England @England]

It’s time to reveal Thomas Tuchel’s first #ThreeLions squad! 👀🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

West Ham CONCEDED 113 GOALS in 58 matches across last season & this season pre-Potter = 1.9 PER GAME

Potter has improved the defence & it’s laying the foundations to his system

Being difficult to beat is correctly the priority for now. Get in the real world & give him time! ⚒

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

One centre-back, four full-backs, random bloke in midfield, no striker & kids off the bench

Despite all that, a real shift from everyone & clear structure to the side. Unlucky not to get a draw at least

Get some players back from injury & several positives can be built on 👍⚒

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

A reminder Potter has been in the job ONE WEEK, is dealing with an injury crisis & has inherited a squad underperforming for a year

Yes, it was poor today but childish overreaction from the usual suspects

I’ve seen enough in his first 3 games to believe we’re on the right track

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

Paqueta worked his socks off, held the ball up well & showed glimpses of his talent 🇧🇷

Alvarez pressed intelligently, got stuck in & his passing was simple/effective 🇲🇽

Proof you don’t become bad overnight. Both much improved when asked to do their strengths by the manager 👀

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

Players and managers are temporary…but Xavi Valero as West Ham goalkeeper coach is constant

The king survives 👑 🇪🇸

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

Adios, Julen 👋

There’s been difficulties outside his control, but incorrect tactics, defensively open, attack slow & boring, individuals performing worse & he lacked the character to get fans on side

Lower mid-table LaLiga clubs like Espanyol, Las Palmas, or Saudi are calling

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

If Lopetegui is in charge vs Villa then it’s embarrassing (Kevin Keen caretaker needed)

Useless manager but having him face the media & try to get a squad believing in his game plan when he’s been undermined to this extent is cruel

Just give Potter the contract he wants!✍️⚒

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

This season was cursed as soon as we appointed a manager the board didn’t agree on

Clear conflict in our transfers. Squad is now in 3 parts: Moyes leftovers, Steidten’s buys & Lopetegui’s men

Everyone must be on the same page so whoever is next can salvage the season & build ⚒

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

Niclas Fullkrug = scapegoat

Yes, we should’ve signed a younger striker & missing out on Duran was a big mistake in hindsight

But Fullkrug is a handful if you play to his strengths. Good physical presence & brings others into play well. Unfairly written off due to his injury ⚒

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

Areola, Mavropanos, Alvarez, Paqueta & Kudus useless most of this season. Question marks over some last term but this level of drop off is ridiculous

Still believe we made a few decent summer signings too

So fingers have to be pointed at Lopetegui, absolutely killing this squad

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

Normally when you’re getting battered there’s at least noise of frustration & anger… instead it was completely silent.

People are disconnected to the club & slowly going numb to how woeful it is under Lopetegui

He has lost the fans - let alone the dressing room ⚒👎

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

Horribly boring game. Both sides very poor & devoid of ideas

As the home team, you’d want to push to nick it at 70 mins…

Instead, a tactical disaster-class from Lopetegui going to a back five. Conceded space, invited pressure, lost the midfield battle, hung on for a draw 🤦‍♂️

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

Incredibly relieved to hear Michail Antonio is alive

If he isn’t well enough to play again, hopefully he returns to London Stadium so we can show him our appreciation for the many great moments he’s given us over the last nearly ten years

A true West Ham icon ⚒

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

Julen Lopetegui in charge vs Wolves ⚒

Win = delays the inevitable sacking

Draw = remain in limbo

Go behind/play poorly = stadium becomes toxic

Defeat = sacked, valuable time wasted for the new manager

An awful decision you can’t see ending well no matter the outcome🤦‍♂️

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

No debate needed. Lopetegui has to go asap. Potter & Carrick the obvious best/realistic options

Must double down on the ‘project’ to improve style of play with a boss that’s done exactly that elsewhere

The squad is capable, we can’t keep altering styles, clear identity required

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

@Bishy613 Antonio for Ings understandably was fresh legs (Antonio is 34, two games so quickly isn’t reasonable)

Emerson & Paqueta rotation, which was very bizarre

Areola has been on & off the bench recently. Not sure what’s going on there? Either an injury or something else going on 🤷‍♂️

[Alex ⚒ @AlexSmith_123]

Not a good look for Todibo but no surprise players have lost faith

He was part of Ligue 1’s best defence last season, now he has no protection from midfield & is exposed constantly due to the naive high line

No coming back from losing the dressing room. Lopetegui’s time is up

[COYIrons @COYIronscom]

There is a concern about the relationships that the manager has with certain players with a couple of high profile disagreements.
Against Arsenal, Bowen had to step in and said that Todibo was being disrespectful towards Lopetegui, which defused the situation.

[@ExWHUEmployee]