When the teamsheet came out before West Ham’s game at Aston Villa, fans were fearing the worst.
Those fears looked well founded just eight minutes into this Premier League clash as West Ham fell behind to an Aston Villa side who looked in the mood.
There were hopes going into the game that West Ham might have captain Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville back in the squad.
But after late fitness tests, the Hammers elected not to risk either at Villa Park.
West Ham’s squad for the game laid bare the reason the club has taken such a big step backwards in the last year.
Lacking in any sort of quality in depth in all areas, it is a damning indictment on David Moyes, Tim Steidten, Julen Lopetegui and the owners after £155m spent.
But that is for another day.
Because what Graham Potter’s West Ham did show is that once he gets his own team and squad together there is plenty to look forward to.
Paqueta steals show as Potter gives glimpse of West Ham’s future
Too often in the last year, when West Ham have fallen behind they have collapsed. Pathetically so in many cases.
Jacob Ramsey breezed past the ageing Vladimir Coufal after a one-two with Ollie Watkins and finished superbly into the corner.
It was far too easy and it signalled that the fears of Hammers fans that they were in for a long afternoon were coming true.
The biggest sign of Potter’s initial impact, though, is that West Ham did not fold.
In fact they grew into the game and dominated the ball and pressed well in a very impressive all-round display.
Emerson Palmieri’s brilliantly taken second half equaliser was the least the Hammers deserved.
And Aston Villa would not have been able to argue had the Irons won it late on.
Lucas Paqueta stole the show as Potter gives a glimpse of future.
But that medium-term future will only be bright if the manager can start to get a tune out of Mohammed Kudus – who was disappointing again.
West Ham player ratings vs Aston Villa:
Alphonse Areola 7/10: Really did not have a lot to do at all as West Ham dominated the ball. Good distribution.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 8.5/10: Absolutely brilliant once again, exceptional going forward and made some timely interceptions going the other way.
Vladimir Coufal 6.5/10: Far too easily beaten for the goal. But he recovered well and contributed to a good team performance.
Max Kilman 8/10: A much-needed return to form for Kilman as he enjoyed his best game for some time as the central defender in a three.
Aaron Cresswell 7/10: After a shaky start, Cresswell did well and like Coufal provided some vital experience. Played some nice balls in behind Aston Villa too.
Emerson Palmieri 7/10: Got up and down as the left wingback. Disappointed with some of his crosses failing to beat the first man. But he ghosted in at the back post to get the all-important equaliser. Potter had planned to sub him off just before his goal.
Edson Alvarez 7/10: One player who seems to be enjoying working with Potter. The Mexican was better than he has been albeit with a low benchmark this season. Got an assist for the goal with a lovely cross to the back post. Lucky to avoid another silly sending off.
Kudus needs to step up for Hammers and Paqueta must maintain
Tomas Soucek 7/10: Selfless, disciplined and working his socks off for the team as always. Sprayed some nice diagonal balls around and almost assisted a late winner but was offside. Should have done better with a header in a similar position to Emerson’s.
Carlos Soler 6.5/10: Neat and tidy and worked hard but did not impact the game as much as he had been lately. Subbed off.
Mohammed Kudus 6.5/10: Potter must find a way to start getting the best out of Kudus. He worked hard for the team and went on a couple of dangerous runs. But he is not impacting games with goals and assists. Getting the star boy shining again is a top priority in the second half of the season.
Lucas Paqueta 9.5/10: All that was missing for a perfect score was a goal. The Brazilian absolutely stole the show with a virtuoso display as a makeshift striker. Pundit Jamie Carragher was left in awe of Paqueta. He was just a bit wasteful with three really good chances. He did have the ball in the net in the closing stages but Soucek was offside in the build-up. His best performance for over a year. Potter is clearly getting a tune out of Paqueta. Now he has set his benchmark, can he keep it up?
Subs: Scarles and Ings 7/10, Irving and Rodriguez 6/10. Positive impacts from all four subs. Scarles excellent and got stuck in, Ings came close to winner.
Potter 9/10: Really showing what West Ham can be in the future with a full strength team and his players in the door. Very encouraging indeed.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
