Graham Potter got animated over questions about transfers and leapt to the defence of West Ham majority owner David Sullivan.
West Ham fans are not the only ones getting irritated by the January transfer window.
Hammers supporters are becoming increasingly agitated at the club’s failure to make any signings with the window closing in four days.
Graham Potter has been left with a poorly constructed West Ham squad that is the oldest in the Premier League.
After spending £155m on nine new players in the summer, Julen Lopetegui and technical director Tim Steidten have paid the price with their jobs.
Potter has been reunited with Kyle Macauley, who has come in as West Ham’s new head of recruitment.
Majority owner David Sullivan is back in charge of West Ham’s transfer dealings.
As a result of the fact the Hammers are yet to make any signings in the January window thus far, fans have started to turn on Sullivan.
It’s easy to see why.
Animated Potter defends Sullivan over West Ham transfers
West Ham fans are angry with the club’s dismal season, poor recruitment and the fact they appointed Lopetegui in the first place let alone dithered too long over sacking him.
Hammers supporters feel the season has been wasted and problems from the second half of last season have not been addressed.
The Irons have known they have needed a new striker for months.
Long before injuries to Michail Antonio, Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen.
It is probably quicker to list the forwards who haven’t been linked with West Ham this month.
Sullivan has been accused of phantom bids and faux ambition by the likes of Simon Jordan and some fans.
There have been bids for all manner of targets with no new arrivals ahead of Monday night’s deadline.
But it’s not the fault of the board according to the manager.
An animated Potter has defended Sullivan over West Ham’s transfers and made a bold vow.
West Ham continue to be linked with strikers including Evan Ferguson and new target Ricardo Pepi.
Supporters have been voicing their disappointment in the lack of signings on social media and fan forums, blaming Sullivan for failing to pay the money needed to get deals done.
However, Potter says he is to blame.
Potter makes bold West Ham transfer vow
And the Hammers boss makes it clear West Ham must end the cycle of bringing people in just because they are available and instead focus on signing the right players and characters – for the right price.
“The club, the board and the chairman have been fantastic, wanting to help (with transfers),” Potter said in his pre-Chelsea press conference when asked about the lack of signings.
“If anything it’s me wanting to get the right players in.
“Signing a player is easy – there are so many agents pushing players. You could sign a player, trust me it’s dead easy.
“But the right one for the right price, who fits in the place and the group, is difficult to find.
“It’s a complicated window. I’ve said it a number of times. I won’t speak about players at other clubs, I’ve said the same thing for the last three weeks and you keep asking me the same question.
“You were here last week and asked the same question, it’s like Groundhog Day. So what do you think the answer is going to be this time? Go on, what do you think I’m going to say – can’t you think of another question?
“I won’t speak about players who aren’t West Ham players.
“I’m very happy with the support we’ve had from the club and the chairman.
“If we find the right player, we’ll do something, but I have to do the right thing, because if we get it wrong it can have an effect.”
Potter feels for Hammers fans over transfer obsession
Potter also made it clear he wants to identify the right players and characters to make sure he spends the club’s money properly.
And he feels for fans who are hyped up by the obsession in modern football with constantly making signings.
“The challenge is identifying players who are available now, who can come in, we can afford, and there’s more. It’s difficult,” Potter added.
“I believe in our daily work, our team and the club, and I think the fans want a team who are going in the same direction. Therefore I want to make sure we’re bringing in players who buy into that, and who we can use in the right way.
“I think the fans want us to be focused on the group we have and to work with the team, and if we have someone to sign we’ll let them know.
“I feel for the supporters, with all of the links. It’s the noise of football, and my stance is that I don’t want to speak about players who aren’t West Ham players.”
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