Graham Potter has already experienced the full gamut of emotions in just three months at West Ham.
There was an enthusiasm and some much-needed clarity when Graham Potter replaced Julen Lopetegui at West Ham in January.
Players looked happier and when interviewed confirmed they very much were.
A host of West Ham stars raved about the new boss and how well he communicated.
Hammers fans were enthused by the instant impact in Potter’s first game, even if it ultimately ended in defeat at Aston Villa.
The manager’s talk of looking to the Academy first and foremost was also music to the ears of supporters.
Since then, though, West Ham have been largely unimpressive.
There is no doubt things have tightened up at the back.
Fans concerned about West Ham’s regression
But as an attacking force, West Ham are officially the worst in the Premier League since Potter’s arrival.
The Hammers are 20th when it comes to shots and chances created since Potter ended his 20-month hiatus to return to management.
There have been just 10 goals in 11 games along with six defeats and only three wins.
A 1-0 win at Arsenal gave fans a glimpse of what might be possible.
But it was yet another false dawn with many fans moaning they are already bored of the style of play.
What has become clear is Potter won’t be able to get this current group of players back competing for Europe.
He has had three months, with very little interruption, to get his ideas and style across.
Potter has blamed Lopetegui for the mess at West Ham.
The 49-year-old even apologised after the recent limp home defeat to Newcastle, claiming his focus on sorting the defence has meant he has neglected the attack.
While it is widely accepted vast changes are needed to the squad this summer, there is a valid argument that Potter should be getting more from a team which contains the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta and, as of February, Evan Ferguson.
Instead, West Ham are being played off the park for long spells against the likes of Wolves – the only team separating them and the relegation zone.
Some West Ham fans gave Potter a cruel nickname after the defeat at Molineux.
There is no hiding the fact some supporters are already restless and unconvinced by the new manager.
Some Hammers supporters unconvinced by Potter
Others, justifiably, point out it is far too soon to pass judgement.
The majority of rational Hammers fans will not judge Potter until he has his own team in place next season.
But there are concerns the club will overhaul the squad for another manager who simply isn’t going to work out.
Make no mistake Potter will be under huge pressure once he has his own team together.
Especially after this rare period of grace where he is essentially under no pressure at all for the rest of the season.
The former Chelsea boss does appear to realise that fact, though.
Because apologetic Potter is pleading for time already as West Ham doubts emerge.
The Hammers’ 19th permanent manager has admitted his situation is ‘unusual and strange’ in that he is effectively overseeing a seven-month pre-season process.
Fan murmurings over his tactics and what many see as even more regression when it comes to how West Ham play in an attacking sense, have some wondering whether David Sullivan and co have made another mistake.
Especially as it was well-publicised Sullivan only wanted to give Potter an initial six-month deal originally.
But Potter has asked supporters and the board to bear with him and his team, which he describes very much as a ‘work in progress’.
Potter pleads for time already at West Ham
“I think we need to attack better as well,” Potter conceded in an interview with West Ham’s website.
“That’s something we have to do, we know that. We want to be a bit more dynamic, we want to be a bit faster with our attacks.
“I think we need to manage the game a little bit better, understand when we can go forward, when we can go a bit more direct, move a bit more vertical. We’re sort of finding our way still with each other and I think it’s a bit of work in progress.
“Some things have improved (since I arrived), some things have gone in the right direction, but still we need to do more…
“We haven’t had a pre-season, we’ve had injuries to deal with and we’ve just had the international break but] that’s the job and there’s no complaints.
“As I said, we have to do better, I have to do better, that’s the life we’re in. Our supporters, again, are fantastic and they deserve better and demand more, so that’s okay from us. We need to take that responsibility on.”
Last month it was claimed West Ham’s owners are ‘convinced’ Potter is the right man for the job.
Indeed just two days after he was appointed Lopetegui’s successor, the Hammers stated they envisage a 10-year Potter dynasty.
There is nothing to suggest the owners have changed their stance or opinion.
At the moment it is difficult for many supporters to share that vision on the evidence of what they’ve seen so far.
Potter has now asked for patience. And he’ll get it.
But that patience will quickly wear thin if there are not notable improvements when West Ham kick off next season.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
