Graham Potter knows the win at Nottingham Forest cannot be a one-off for West Ham because Evangelos Marinakis has just piled the pressure on David Sullivan.
Before West Ham’s last match, away against Nottingham before the international break, all the talk was that Graham Potter could be facing the sack.
Paul Merson even stated West Ham would not win another point before the end of October which would see Potter axed.
With three international breaks spread across the first three months of the season, it gives owners the perfect chance to change manager.
As Potter lined up against Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground nine days ago, it was the Hammers boss many would have tipped to lose his job first.
The first axing of the season has in fact come in the other dugout, with Nottingham Forest boss Evangelos Marinakis announcing Nuno’s sacking overnight – at 1am.
West Ham defeat becomes Nuno’s last act at Forest
The shock 3-0 defeat to West Ham – Forest’s biggest at home for 25 years – proved to be Nuno’s last act as manager of the Tricky Trees.
Ahead of West Ham’s trip to the City Ground, Hammers News reported Marinakis could force Hammers chief David Sullivan into biggest decision of his tenure.
Word had emerged that the Greek was considering sacking Nuno after the Portuguese went on record to criticise the Edu’s window dealings and admitted his relationship with the owner was “not so close”.
Despite the rumours, Nuno remained in charge for the Hammers clash as Potter’s side picked up a rejuvenating victory.
West Ham’s owners had insisted they were behind Potter ahead of the game after the club’s worst ever start to a top flight season three games in.
But another big defeat may have pushed Potter to the brink.
It could be a sliding doors moment given Nuno has now been sacked by Forest.
But Potter knows the West Ham revival must be sustained as Forest pile the pressure on David Sullivan.
West Ham have been linked with Nuno in the past.
Ange Postecoglou is now expected to be named Nottingham Forest’s new boss with the Greek connection between him and the owner.
Nottingham Forest pile pressure on Sullivan over Potter
After being sacked by Spurs, a large number of West Ham fans urged Sullivan to snap up Postecoglou.
A leading journalist even tipped Postecoglou to return to football at West Ham if and when Potter is sacked mid-season.
Marco Silva has also been in the mix, especially after voicing his unhappiness at Fulham’s lack of spending and ambition this summer.
Silva was Sullivan’s choice to succeed David Moyes at West Ham last year and he has gone on record with his admiration for Nuno’s fellow Portuguese in the past.
The Hammers baulked at his reported hefty £10m plus release clause last year, opting for free agent Julen Lopetegui instead.
Despite the rumours over Nuno’s future ahead of the West Ham clash, few actually believed Marinakis would go through with sacking him given the job the former Spurs and Wolves boss has done at Forest.
In a ruthless move, though, that is exactly what has happened.
And it rather ironically ramps up pressure on Potter and Sullivan over West Ham’s immediate future.
There has been a lot of hope and excitement around West Ham’s 3-0 win at Forest.
Many believe the additions of Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa along with Lucas Paqueta staying and game-changer Crysencio Summerville returning, could be the start of a Potter revival of West Ham.
Forest have ensured that revival simply cannot be a flash in the pan, though.
Potter knows West Ham revival must be sustained with Nuno on market
West Ham must now continue that form against Spurs and beyond because there is a growing clamour among Hammers supporters to bring Nuno in to replace Potter.
Confidence has been restored ahead of West Ham facing their bitter rivals Tottenham.
But a damaging defeat will see pressure rise on Potter again.
That will be the case as long as Nuno is out of a job, applying serious pressure on Sullivan and co to act if Potter cannot sustain a turnaround.
Especially as the axed Forest boss showed what he can do by leading the club of Brian Clough from 17th up to seventh and into the Europa League.
Potter may have been able to breathe a bit more easily since that win at Nottingham Forest.
But now he will be looking over his shoulder if West Ham don’t start getting consistent results and performances given a manager like Nuno on the market as a free agent.
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