West Ham were beaten by the only team that separates them from the relegation zone as Graham Potter comes off worst.
The feeling of enthusiasm and mild excitement about what Graham Potter might be able to do with this ragtag West Ham team is a distant memory.
After three months in the job, Potter has already proved he is incapable of shaping the current crop into a competitive team that West Ham fans actually want – and enjoy – to watch.
The manager’s start has been inauspicious to say the least.
Eleven games, just three wins and now six defeats coupled with some very unexciting performances does not bode well.
After the 1-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, it is clearer than ever before a massive overhaul is needed at West Ham this summer.
West Ham player ratings vs Wolves – not a single 7/10
The problem is, Potter will only be able to do that if the Hammers manage to convince other clubs some of their players are worth buying.
A tall order on this season’s form.
It was the usual recurring West Ham nightmare fans have been used to over the last 19 months. Or indeed some would argue three years bar the European trophy triumph.
Play like a bunch of strangers in the first half, go behind, up their game second half but lacking the pace, quality, guile and dynamism to turn things around.
Supporters have been slamming the manager on social media after matches already.
That has reached new levels following the Wolves defeat.
As Potter bores on a night of low scores, here’s the West Ham player ratings vs Wolves:
Alphonse Areola 6/10: Didn’t actually have too many saves to make. Perhaps could have done better with the Wolves goal as the deflection wasn’t massive. Made one excellent save from a header. Took too long on the ball which made for some nervy moments when closed down. Still not sure he is the right man for West Ham under Potter.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6.5/10: Undoubtedly the Hammer of the Year and was arguably West Ham’s best of a bad bunch from the starters.
Konstantinos Mavropanos 3/10: There were collective groans when Mavropanos was named in the starting XI. We saw why with his reckless defending on multiple occasions. Giving away free-kicks in silly positions, making rash, needless challenges and of course was at fault for Wolves’ goal. Booked for good measure too. With his powerful build, height and athleticism, Mavropanos should be one of the best defenders in the Premier League. Instead he’s among the worst. But puts on a Greece shirt and plays like a prime Fabio Cannavaro.
Max Kilman 4/10: Not one of his better games on his return to his old club. Wolves fans told the Hammers Kilman needs a dominant partner in order to be at his best. When he plays alongside Mavropanos that is proved unerringly accurate every single time.
Potter bores on a night of low scores for Hammers
Aaron Cresswell 5/10: Great servant. But what on earth are West Ham doing relying on a 35-year-old left-back to play centre-back in the Premier League every week after spending over £250m in the last two summers?
Ollie Scarles 5/10: Great young kid who can be a first team player without doubt. But Scarles does not offer enough going forward and struggled against Wolves. Fans need to be wary of being so desperate to shower Scarles with praise. Clearly needs to be dipped in and out as Potter has stated previously. Emerson was much better when he came on.
James Ward-Prowse 3/10: Absolutely distinctly average. The fanfare around having him back has been ridiculously over the top. Ward-Prowse looked like a Championship player up against Wolves’ young, hungry midfield. Not helped by Potter’s tactics which left him isolated in midfield. Subbed off.
Lucas Paqueta 5/10: What does Lucas Paqueta actually do. Most of his attempts at clever passes never come off. Has a lot on his plate and was not West Ham’s worst player. But he should be the best player on the pitch given his reputation. If he is absolved in the case, he needs to be sold.
Ferguson the worst player on the pitch at Molineux
Luis Guilherme 3/10: Another who is being hyped up by fans out of sympathy more than anything else. Brazilian teen Luis Guilherme was almost completely anonymous on his long-awaited first start and subbed off at half-time. No wonder Tim Steidten was sacked when that £20m could have gone towards signing Jhon Duran. It’s not Guilherme’s fault he was brought to West Ham. But the move looks to have been a complete disaster and it will be no surprise to see him moved on this summer.
Jarrod Bowen 6.5/10: Along with Wan-Bissaka, Jarrod Bowen is always consistently West Ham’s best player. Put in his usual maximum effort and tried to inspire the team. Even laid a goal on a plate for Evan Ferguson with the score at 0-0. Can’t do it all on his own, though. West Ham need to be careful Bowen does not grow frustrated because playing in this team is going to make it difficult for him to be in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
Evan Ferguson 2/10: Timed runs poorly and made a complete hash of an absolute sitter which would have opened his West Ham account on his first start. Evan Ferguson looks like being the latest in a long line of West Ham striker flops. Subbed off at half-time. Worst player on the pitch. It is hard to believe Brighton rate him at £50-60m. The ageing, slow and injury-prone Niclas Fullkrug looked a much better option in the second half having been out for three months. That says it all.
Subs: Fullkrug 6.5, Soler 6, Alvarez 6, Soucek 6, Emerson 6.
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