'Back to basics' - Potter impressing fanspublished at 10:47 28 February
10:47 28 February
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James Jones from the We Are West Ham podcast spoke on BBC Radio 5 Live after the Hammers beat Leicester 2-0 on Thursday night and was glowing in his praise of new manager Graham Potter.
"I'm a lot happier than I was a few months ago, let's put it that way," said James.
"Graham Potter has come in and the squad looks like it's got an identity now. We didn't have one under [Julen] Lopetegui earlier this season, it just felt like the players didn't really know what they were supposed to be doing.
"Potter has come in and it just seems like he has put the players in the positions they should be in. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a key example, he's been brilliant in the last two games just playing a very traditional wing-back role. That's one of the most impressive things that West Ham fans have liked under Potter, he has come in and just gone back to basics.
"It's clear that the players have bought into his ideas, going away to Arsenal and winning and then a routine win last night is evidence that we are definitely heading in the right direction again."
'In Potter we trust' - fans on win over Leicester Citypublished at 08:46 28 February
08:46 28 February
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views after West Ham United beat Leicester City to record back-to-back wins in the Premier League on Thursday night.
Here are some of your comments:
Shane: Steady as she goes - no drama, a clean sheet and a clear plan. The players finally look like they didn't first meet on the bus to the game. 'Harry' Potter is certainly starting to work his magic. Europe might be just beyond us this year, but I'm finally hopeful for next season.
Matthew: Pretty dire from both teams, if I'm being honest. Maybe we edged it in terms of quality but it was still a very lethargic game overall. But two wins and clean sheets in a row.
Bubba: Poor Leicester have given up. This was like a friendly practice game for us, a nice opportunity to work on tactics and so on. Three points are three points. The team put in a solid shift. I'm not sure we are there yet, though.
Barry: A good, dominant display. Leicester were pretty toothless, but we did what was necessary. A professional and controlled display plus a great win. Todibo is looking good under Potter and Tommy got a great goal on his birthday. It felt like watching a pre-season game. Still, three more points on the board.
James: That'll do nicely!A professional performance against a very poor Leicester team. Small improvements in each game. In Potter we trust.
'Two clean sheets and six points - I am delighted'published at 08:08 28 February
08:08 28 February
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West Ham boss Graham Potter told BBC Sport: "Feels good. It's not easy. The turnaround from the Arsenal game was not that long. Two efforts in five days is big for us. Two clean sheets and six points, so I am delighted.
"The clean sheet was important. We have conceded too many goals this season. It's important to stem that. The collective effort to do that was important.
"We controlled the first half and limited them. Overall we're delighted and it is a big win for us."
On Tomas Soucek's birthday goal: "He's been brilliant for us. He pops up with a goal and works hard. He can have some time over the weekend with his family and maybe have a nice dinner."
Did you know?
West Ham have won a home Premier League game without conceding for the first time since December 2023 against Manchester United.
West Ham 2-0 Leicester - Picking up under Potterpublished at 22:07 27 February
22:07 27 February
Gary Rose BBC Sport journalist
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This will go down as ultimately a disappointing season for West Ham as the appointment of Julen Lopetegui did not work, meaning they turned to Graham Potter at the start of the year to pull them away from any relegation danger.
With this win following up a hugely impressive victory against Arsenal, that has been achieved with the Hammers now comfortably clear of trouble.
There was little to read from this display as West Ham did not have to do much to get the win. They actually finished the game with fewer attempts on goal than Leicester but took their chances, with the help of some poor defending.
The back-to-back wins - their first in almost a year - means the rest of the season is effectively a write off, but that gives Potter an extended period to start putting him imprint on the team for next season.
West Ham 2-0 Leicester - send us your thoughtspublished at 22:00 27 February
22:00 27 February
West Ham eased past Leicester City to leave the Foxes deep in relegation trouble as their desperate form continued.
Come back to this page on Friday to find a selection of your replies
'Summer splurge' criticised but Wan-Bissaka was 'astute move'published at 12:15 27 February
12:15 27 February
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
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In a world where critics like to focus on elements of a players' game they are not so good at rather than where they excel, positive attributes can get lost.
Listen to assessments of Aaron Wan-Bissaka's time at Manchester United and conversations will centre around his concentration, his poor positional play and his lack of passing range.
But Wan-Bissaka has many other qualities. His recovery tackling is excellent. His speed and energy to take him up and down the pitch is first class. He is strong. And, crucially, his confidence is building, which will make him more secure when he does have the ball.
Quite a lot has been said about the value of West Ham's summer transfer window splurge. The exits of manager Julen Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten tell their own story on that.
But bringing Wan Bissaka back to London was an astute move. West Ham will benefit from that, now and in the future.
Is it time we rethought Wan-Bissaka?published at 10:48 27 February
10:48 27 February
Nat Hayward BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has not had it easy.
Back in 2021, two years after Manchester United handed Crystal Palace £50m for his services, former England great Paul Scholes described him as "useless on the ball" even while praising his virtues as a defender.
Ensnared in the seemingly constant state of chaos at Old Trafford, Wan-Bissaka acquitted himself well as an one-and-one defender but became labelled as a full-back that lacked end product.
Since his move to West Ham in the summer, the underlying numbers suggest this is no longer the case.
On the surface, two goals and two assists this season is not headline-grabbing. However, Wan-Bissaka is already two thirds of the way to his best Premier League return of six goal involvements in 2020-21, with 13 matches still to play,
Indeed, the 27-year-old has become one of the Hammers' most important creative outlets, illustrated by his fine assist for Jarrod Bowen's winner against Arsenal on Saturday.
In a turbulent season in east London, Wan-Bissaka has consistently ranked closely with star attackers Bowen and Mohammed Kudus in several key metrics.
He is crucial in driving his team forward, shown by him leading the squad for progressive carries [76] and carries into the final third [44], while his 10 crosses into the penalty area is level at the top alongside Kudus.
Perhaps more surprisingly, he has 40 successful take-ons, behind only Kudus' 64 and ahead of Bowen's 35, suggesting a willingness to get at his opponent.
As the above graph shows, he is ever-willing to get forward, having the third-most touches in the attacking third for the West Ham at 394.
Similarly, the end product that was missing from his game seems to have reappeared with this attacking possession being converted into chances. Only Bowen [86] and Kudus [76] have more than Wan-Bissaka's 65.
The Scholes quote at the start of this post came after a Manchester derby defeat where boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deployed him as a wing-back. Wan-Bissaka occupied that role at Emirates Stadium four years later and on Wednesday, Graham Potter said the position "brings the best out of him" because "he can do both sides of the game".
Whether it is a fresh start, a less pressurised environment or simply his development as a player, Wan-Bissaka's re-profiling as a playmaking wing-back has been one of the success stories of West Ham's season.
Sutton's predictions: West Ham v Leicesterpublished at 10:46 27 February
10:46 27 February
West Ham defended really well against Arsenal on Saturday and countered really well.
Manager Graham Potter will be looking for his side to build on that victory, and with Jarrod Bowen up front, they will have too much firepower for the Foxes.
This is a gimme for West Ham, and it should be a routine victory for them.
I just cannot make a case for Leicester to get anything here and it looks like their hopes of staying up have had it too.
Like Southampton fans, the only thing Leicester supporters have to look forward to is the chance to visit Norwich next season. It is a nice city, and I fully recommend it for a day out.
Gossip: Potter keen to sign Lille's Davidpublished at 07:26 27 February
07:26 27 February
Graham Potter has set his sights on overcoming competition from the likes of Barcelona to sign Canada forward Jonathan David, 25, from Lille. (Give Me Sport), external
Potter on Paqueta's injury, Wan-Bissaka's form and Kilman's 'potential'published at 14:04 25 February
14:04 25 February
West Ham boss Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Premier League game against Leicester City (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Potter was asked about the fitness of Vladimir Coufal and Lucas Paqueta: "Both players are progressing but won't make the squad on Thursday. Vladi certainly has a chance for Newcastle and Lucas, we'll just have to see how he responds but certainly for Leicester no."
On Maximilian Kilman as a leader: "It is something he can develop more. I am pretty sure that is how he has indicated it himself. If the team functions well and the environment is good, people become more able to lead. That is certainly the case with Max. He absolutely has the potential."
On Aaron Wan-Bissaka's form: "He has been really impressive. I think the wing-back role helps him a lot. It brings the best out of him. He can do both sides of the game, he is working away and I am delighted to have him."
On the weekend off after the mid-week Leicester game: "I think we will do a combination of a couple of things. We will make sure everyone is recovering properly and then we have time to build up to the next match. We will have to make sure we use the time wisely."
On Leicester: "In the Premier League every game is complicated and tough. The opponent has always got something to fight for, always got something to prove, some quality against you. That is the case with Leicester, they will be looking to turn their fortunes around. That is how football is, it's great. Just when you think there is no way forward something can come up and just when you think you've got it cracked, something can come around and kick you. You have to have a respect and humility for the opponents which we have."
'Win at Arsenal shows West Ham fans can be excited with Potter at the wheel'published at 12:23 25 February
12:23 25 February
James Jones Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
For two years in a row, West Ham have rocked up to the Emirates and put a huge dent in Arsenal's Premier League title hopes.
We have done it without conceding a single goal, too.
Last year, it was David Moyes who masterminded the victory but West Ham were sixth in the table at the time. It was a result that surprised many, but not everyone.
This year was different. West Ham have struggled all season. We have been better under Graham Potter but there are still many problems that need to be fixed. Home defeats by Crystal Palace and Brentford are evidence of that.
There would not have been many people who gave West Ham any hope against Mikel Arteta's side on Saturday - especially when the starting XI was announced and, like Arsenal, there was no recognised striker in sight.
Evan Ferguson is still getting up to speed and therefore was not risked from the start again.
But a goal and a victory was still achieved and while Arsenal will continue to rue their injury problems in attack, West Ham and Potter go on adapting and making do with what they have.
That has been the most impressive thing about Potter's early reign at West Ham. An injury crisis and a striker shortage has not prevented him from making progress. He has got the team playing well, is giving young players like Ollie Scarles the chance to shine and has an entire squad bought into to his plans.
What follows next is consistency. If Potter can oversee a run of positive results, starting with the visit of Leicester on Thursday, then it does not take a lot of imagination to wonder what might be possible with a full squad of fit players at his disposal.
That win at Arsenal proves West Ham fans can be excited about what is to come in the future with Potter at the wheel.
Amo: Another gutless performance with no answers to an opposing team that had been struggling. Poor show as once again we bottle it when fans could see the opportunity to narrow the gap on Liverpool. Not worthy of being champions at this rate.
AJ: There's no point in us being angry or upset. The harsh reality is that we got hit by bad luck. Getting a striker like Alexander Isak, another world-class player, and Bukayo Saka back will take us to the next level and the league title! I see good days ahead. We just need to stick together as Arsenal fans.
Richard: Dreadful performance! Poorest match this season. Lopsided midfield, lots of defenders... other clubs have injuries so we are not different. Having two shots on target is pathetic! Need a top coach to sort this out now or next season will be no different.
Stuart: If you persist at playing at walking pace for most of the game, then this is entirely predictable. Graham Potter could have handed out cups of tea to his defence. They had that much time! Arsenal's poorest display of the season by a country mile.
West Ham fans
Michael: Huge result and performance at Arsenal. You can see the effect Potter is already having on the team and our defence in particular. Last time out Arsenal scored five against us and now we get a clean sheet at Emirates Stadium. Aaron Wan-Bissaka proved once again he is one of the season's best signings. Delighted too for players like Ollie Scarles and Aaron Cresswell. Can't wait now for Evan Ferguson to get match fit and start scoring.
Monty: Excellent away perfomance as we limited Arsenals chances to one good save and then countered superbly. AWB again proving himself as this season's best signing for West Ham. Lets hope we take this performance on to Leicester - consistency is key!
Barry: Great display from the Hammers. Defensively strong, quick and direct attacks. Mohammed Kudus had one of his best games this season. Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Creswell were great at the back. Scarles and AWB had great games and James Ward-Prowse was excellent. We look like a team that knows what is expected of them under Potter.
Harry: Amazing performance. Defended brilliantly and took our few chances well. Now need to see how we operate when we are attacking rather than defending majority of the game. Excellent performance still and Scarles is a hero.
'Delighted for the players and fans'published at 18:07 22 February
18:07 22 February
Image source, Getty Images
West Ham boss Graham Potter, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Massive performance for us. Delighted for the players and the fans. Tactically very disciplined performance. Really good."
On Jarrod Bowen and the team as a whole: "Jarrod [Bowen] and Aaron [Wan-Bissaka] and Mo [Kudus] give us a counter-attacking threat. We defended with discipline and resilience but we carry an attacking threat as well.
"The win brings confidence and belief. This result is really big for us and hopefully, it allows us to move forward in a positive way."
On Myles Lewis Skelly's red card for fouling Mohammed Kudus: "From where I saw it, I thought it was a red card and Mo would have been away and 1v1 with the keeper so it would have been a tricky one for the referee not to give it."
Arsenal 0-1 West Ham: Hammers joy as Potter delivers more Emirates magicpublished at 17:48 22 February
17:48 22 February
Matthew Howarth BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
West Ham had not won in the Premier League since defeating Fulham in mid-January, but they produced a near-perfect performance to claim a second straight victory at Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Hammers had conceded five in their previous meeting with the Gunners but defended magnificently on this occasion, restricting Mikel Arteta's side to only two shots on target.
Jarrod Bowen could have broken the deadlock before his 44th-minute opener but displayed the kind of attacking instinct Arsenal were lacking when he nodded home Aaron-Wissaka's cross - after starting the move on the edge of his own box.
Myles Lewis-Skelly's second-half sending off - for a professional foul on Mohammed Kudus - helped the Hammers comfortable see out the game to move 13 points clear of the relegation zone, and level on points with Manchester United in 15th.
Struggling Leicester City's visit to London Stadium on Thursday provides an ideal opportunity for Potter's team to claim back-to-back wins in the league.
Image source, Getty Images
