Opinion

Three words continually shouted by Graham Potter during West Ham training video proves one thing

Add as preferred source on Google

Graham Potter has been trying to get across his ideas and methods during West Ham United training sessions.

West Ham appointed Graham Potter to replace Julen Lopetegui two weeks ago, and the task his faces is an incredibly difficult one.

Lopetegui significantly set the Hammers back with his disastrous spell in charge at the London Stadium.

It’s all change at West Ham now – very much a case of out with the old and in with the new.

Kyle Macaulay is coming in from Chelsea to oversee recruitment, whilst Tim Steidten seems destined to be sacked from his role as director of football.

And Potter is said to be targeting three new signings before the window slams shut on February 3rd.

West Ham United FC v Crystal Palace FC - Premier League
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

However, the key for the 49-year-old former Brighton boss will be to extract every single ounce of talent out of the group of players at West Ham right now.

That will be easier said than done. I feel like we have far too many players who aren’t as good as they think they are.

Hopefully the current crop prove me wrong, and improve significantly under Potter’s guidance.

Three words Graham Potter shouted during West Ham training

The Hammers head coach clearly has so much work to do at the London Stadium.

New signings will obviously help massively, but he has to try and improve the current group of players as well.

There is clearly a lot of hard work that needs to be done on the training ground.

And judging by the latest video to emerge from Rush Green, Potter is trying to drill one specific thing into his players.

During the behind the scenes video on the club’s official website, Potter could be heard continually shouting ‘pass and move’ to his players.

Potter’s system is totally reliant on constant movement from his players all over the pitch.

The 49-year-old favours a possession-based playing style, but in order to carry that out, his players have to constantly make themselves available for their teammates.

The Hammers players were far too static during Julen Lopetegui’s reign, and under David Moyes before him if truth be told.

We have been a passive team for far too long now, and Potter is clearly trying to change all of that.

Graham Potter-ball 101

Potter is well-known for his versatility.

The 49-year-old Hammers head coach has been known to utilise up to EIGHT different systems during games.

His system is reliant on real energy and stamina from his players, due to the fact that it is one that does not accommodate any form of staticity.

Potter likes his team to draw the opposition out by moving the ball about quickly, and if there are no openings, his players often pass back to their goalkeeper so that their opponents push up the pitch by 10 yards or so.

West Ham United FC v Fulham FC - Premier League
Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

He also likes his team to create overloads on the wings, with the full-backs being urged to join in attacks at every opportunity.

If you look at Potter’s Brighton team, he had incredible athletes in the middle of the park in the form of Yves Bissouma and Moises Caicedo.

Those two players enabled his system to thrive, and I fully expect the Hammers boss to add some real legs and technical ability to his midfield ranks this winter.

Ezechiel Banzuzi is said to be close to joining West Ham, and he’ll be a great addition for us.

Aside from new signings though, Graham Potter has to ensure that he gets across his footballing philosophy clearly and succinctly on the training ground.

His system is an incredibly intricate one, so don’t expect to see instant results. However, the future will be very bright if we all stick by Potter and the players, I have no doubts about that.