Graham Potter has made a subtle but revealing admission that casts doubt over whether he will get the time to turn West Ham around.
West Ham hit a new low for the season, let alone under Graham Potter, as they were unable to beat one of the worst teams in Premier League history in Southampton.
The Hammers put in another totally unconvincing display and were fortunate to draw 1-1 with rock-bottom, already relegated Saints.
That’s despite having taken a second half lead through Jarrod Bowen, as West Ham sank deeper and deeper to throw it away at the death.
Boos rang out for Potter’s side as anger and serious doubts emerge over the manager.
West Ham have gone backwards under Potter, who took over from Julen Lopetegui with the team in 13th place back at the start of January.
Hammers have gone backwards under Potter
The former Brighton manager, whose highest ever Premier League finish is ninth, has won just three of his 14 games in charge, losing seven and drawing four.
Failing to beat hapless Southampton is as bad as it has been for the Hammers all season, though.
Even Lopetegui managed victory over a side that has conceded 78 goals this season.
Many West Ham supporters were unsure about Potter when he was appointed.
He had been out of football for nearly two years after being sacked by Chelsea.
And some felt his spell with Brighton was overblown given they have gone from strength to strength under two different managers since.
But things were so bad under Lopetegui, supporters were desperate for change.
Initial signs were encouraging from Potter and most West Ham fans have accepted he can’t be judged until he has his own team in place next season.
However, the fact the Irons are getting worse not better under the 49-year-old has raised serious question marks over whether he is the right man for the club.
It is almost certain Potter would not be retained by West Ham had he signed the six-month deal David Sullivan originally offered.
West Ham have a break clause in Potter’s two-and-a-half year contract – but it doesn’t kick in until next year.
The fact that clause was leaked – after a recent defeat to Wolves – is rather telling.
Now Potter has dropped the first hint he may not get the time to turn West Ham around.
Potter’s first hint he may not get time to turn West Ham around
Hammers fans have been unimpressed by performances and results under the new manager.
After 100 days in the job, many expected to see clear improvement.
But Potter’s stint so far proves turning the club around after a season and a half of struggle is a mammoth task.
The Englishman has been sounding like a broken record since arriving, repeatedly stating West Ham have “been competitive in all the games”.
Well they weren’t against one of the worst Premier League teams ever.
And for the first time Potter sounds unconvinced over the future, with his wording suggesting he is feeling the heat.
Potter is already making his case for being kept on, stating why he “thinks” he could still turn West Ham around.
The struggling Hammers boss stopped short of telling supporters how hard he is working to make things right.
While striker Niclas Fullkrug was describing the team using an expletive and suggesting his teammates were not listening to the manager, Potter is already pleading for time.
But his post match assessment sounded like a desperate plea to the owners and supporters as he accepts his tenure has been totally unconvincing thus far.
Instead of being certain he is the man to get the club by the scruff of the neck and sort things out, Potter’s rhetoric is suddenly hopeful at best – suggesting he still believes even if others may not.
Potter’s language turns to hopeful ‘ifs’ as he pleads for time
“It’s not about that (how hard I and my coaching team are working),” Potter told West Ham’s website.
“As a club, we have to do the right things over a period of time. I think that’s the challenge for us because that inconsistency can come as a result of that.
“If we make the right decisions over a period of time, I still believe we can build something really special here. I really believe that.
“At the moment we’re suffering, it’s a season where it’s been tough, tough for everybody, so we have to keep going through this difficult patch, get through to the summer and reassess everything and see how we can improve.”
Chopping and changing the manager again may not necessarily be the answer.
But Potter has provided little evidence to suggest he is the man West Ham should be shaping another rebuild around.
Many Hammers fans believe the club may have made another mistake after once again taking the cheap option of appointing an out of work manager.
Potter already sounds like he is already fighting against the tide at West Ham.
That is very concerning indeed after just three months at the helm.
Doubt has not just crept in to his voice – it has crept into the fanbase too.
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