There were incredible scenes as reporter Ian Abrahams challenged Graham Potter over Niclas Fullkrug’s explosive West Ham outburst.
Finally, a West Ham United press conference worth watching.
Hammers fans used to think David Moyes’ media briefings were dull and dour.
But they have since discovered Moyes is the managerial equivalent of Fred Astaire compared to successors Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter.
Communication was a major issue for Lopetegui – and not just with his players but West Ham supporters too.
The Spaniard struggled to get his message across and keep fans interested in what is, after all, an entertainment sport and industry.
Potter, in his first language, is able to communicate with much more clarity.
West Ham’s players have even remarked about that since his arrival.
Finally a West Ham press conference worth watching
But his press conferences have become very dull, very quickly too. Of course that hasn’t been helped by the fact there has been no jeopardy in West Ham’s season since at least January.
Not the pre-match presser ahead of facing his old club Brighton, though.
The whole press conference and football interview format has become tired, robotic and overly sanitised during the Premier League years.
The same players and managers trot out the same stock answers, phrases and cliches – and West Ham’s are as guilty as anyone else this season.
‘We can and will do better’ was a favourite of Lopetegui.
‘We’ve been competitive in all the games’ has been the go-to phrase Potter has repeated ad nauseum so far – despite his record being a dismal three wins from 14 games.
It is why West Ham fans unanimously applauded striker Niclas Fullkrug when he slammed the team’s performances after the pathetic 1-1 draw with Southampton last time out.
It was a game the Hammers should have lost, let alone drawn.
Fullkrug’s outburst went viral, winning acclaim from fans of a number of clubs – not just West Ham – for its refreshing honesty.
Some supporters even went as far as to state Fullkrug should be made West Ham captain for telling it like it is after 18 months of lip service and just 13 wins from 52 Premier League games.
The straight-talking German international was unapologetic in the aftermath, doubling down on social media.
Fullkrug even had West Ham’s owners running scared, as it emerged they backed his sentiment and ruled out punishing him.
All eyes were on Potter’s pre-Brighton press conference with the Fullkrug question understandably one of the first raised.
Incredible scenes as Abrahams challenges Potter over Fullkrug
And there were incredible scenes as Ian Abrahams challenged Potter over Fullkrug’s West Ham outburst.
When asked what he thought of Fullkrug’s angry rant, Potter was critical of the striker.
Potter said that while Fullkrug is entitled to his opinion, he should have kept it private.
The Hammers boss also questioned whether Fullkrug had enough of an idea about the Southampton game itself from a tactical point of view to offer such criticism.
But talkSPORT reporter Abrahams is a massive West Ham fan.
And that was clear as he took Potter to task for criticising Fullkrug – pointing out that fans and the media loved his honesty.
That did not go down well with Potter who got visibly agitated as the pair jousted over the issue to breathe some much-needed life into the usual banal press conference back and forth.
Reporter pushes back on Potter criticism of honest Fullkrug
“So you don’t mind Niclas Fullkrug having an honest opinion, but you just don’t want him to tell us?” Abrahams told Potter.
“Why is that because I think the fans, media, everyone would like to know what players think and I think honesty is a good thing.”
After a sharp intake of breath, Potter did not agree.
“I understand, but at the same time we also have a responsibility to the team and the club.
“And from my perspective, sometimes I could be honest, say how I really feel, but I don’t think it’s helpful to the players, I don’t think it’s helpful to the club.
“So we all have to be aware of our responsibilities as well.
“My reflection from when I played, especially on the pitch, you think you’ve got a picture of what’s happened but you can’t by definition see everything. You’ve (only) got a perspective.
“And this is the great thing about the media and you ask a player after a game and he’ll have his opinion but it will be based on very little. Of course it’s his opinion but in terms of what has actually happened in the game, he won’t be able to see that, he won’t be able to analyse that or have the perspective that maybe it requires to give a really in-depth answer.
“But the reality of it is you guys in the media aren’t bothered about that, you just want the drama. And I understand that.”
But Abrahams wasn’t done there, pushing back at Potter’s response, refuting that it was just about looking for drama.
West Ham boss finally shows personality even if fans don’t agree
“Yes drama but also we just want them to say it how it is and I thought last week it was kind of refreshing really,” Abrahams said.
“It’s happened before here with other players and I don’t think it happens enough in football.”
Potter’s response was a touch childish if truth be told, shrugging his shoulders and replying ‘OK’ while wearing a facial expression that screamed ‘I don’t care what you think’ – much like the famous Alan Partridge meme.
The exchange in itself was absolutely refreshing to watch.
Potter finally showed a bit of personality – even if he doesn’t view Fullkrug’s criticism with the same appreciation – or through the same prism – as his club’s fans.
Credit to Abrahams too. He has been criticised by his fellow West Ham supporters in the past for cosying up to the club’s owners.
But other reporters need to follow his lead and start showing some gumption in these often painfully dull press conferences.
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