One thing that has massively improved since Graham Potter’s arrival at West Ham has been communication.
A host of West Ham stars have hailed the new manager for his clarity of communication.
Hammers fans have also been both relieved and impressed that they can understand what Graham Potter is saying and trying to do as he conveys his messages through the media.
On the pitch there have been glimpses of real promise too.
The style, approach and performances – on the whole – have improved markedly.
Especially when considering what Potter has had to deal with in terms of injuries thus far.
But there is no hiding from the fact results are still poor, continuing a dismal 14-month trend.
In that time since a 2-0 win at Arsenal on December 28th 2023, West Ham United have won just 13 times in 53 matches across all competitions under three different managers.
That’s less than one win per month as a crude average.
And it is very much relegation form on paper.
With no new manager bounce in terms of results, doubts have already started creeping in about Potter.
West Ham boss Potter addresses awkward family question
It’s probably fair to say they were there when he was appointed given he was out of work for nearly two years.
Things were so bad under Julen Lopetegui, though, supporters would have taken just about anyone to end that tenure.
What Potter did with Jarrod Bowen in West Ham’s loss to Brentford hasn’t helped convince doubters.
But the new boss has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the club.
Vice-chair Karren Brady has backed Potter to be a success with the Hammers.
The club’s owners also said after his appointment that West Ham want Potter to have a dynasty in east London.
In order to do that the manager will have to feel happy and settled on and off the pitch.
So West Ham must hope for no issues as Potter addresses an awkward family question.
They say a happy and settled family life is key to well-being and success.
There have been countless examples of players and managers impacted by not having that at West Ham down the years.
Family situation has impacted several Hammers
Often it has cut their time at the club short.
From Joey Beauchamp to Dimitri Payet, Andriy Yarmolenko and Craig Dawson to name but a few.
Dawson and Payet were among West Ham’s best and most important players when they had to leave abruptly to be back closer to their families further north and in France respectively.
Even David Moyes by the end admitted his living situation while at West Ham meant it was time to part ways.
The Scot had been living out of a luxury hotel during his four-and-a-half years at West Ham – away from his wife Pamela, who stayed at their family home in the north.
“I knew it was a decision that I’d have to take with my family and we have done,” Moyes said before he left West Ham last May.
“I’ve been away a long time from my family and now was the time to make that decision.”
Well it seems Potter is going to have a similar living situation to Moyes.
West Ham must hope for no issues as Potter confirms living arrangement
The manager seemed to be caught somewhat off-guard by a question about how he intends to work things in terms of where he and his family will live six weeks into his appointment as West Ham boss.
And Potter has confirmed his wife and family will continue living in Brighton and Hove while he will be in London – only popping back and forth when time allows.
Potter stuttered over his words as he answered the question about whether he had ‘sorted his living situation’.
But he says he is happy with how he and his family will work it.
“No, well, I’m in London now so I go home if I get a day and some time to see the family,” Potter said in his pre-Arsenal press conference.
“And they’ll come up maybe occasionally but I’m sort of here and enjoying my time in London. I’m enjoying my time at the training ground and working in this fantastic club.”
If that is going to work for Potter and his family then great.
There was a time when fans and clubs would want a level of commitment from managers and players to live locally.
Sir Alex Ferguson would famously make sure new arrivals had their family lives settled even down to school places for children to ensure they were contented and without distraction so they could fully focus on giving their all for his club.
When the going gets tough at West Ham – as it invariably will at times – that living situation may be tested to the limit for Potter.
Brighton is not a million miles from London of course. It is a commutable distance.
Being away from family did not stop Moyes being a big success at West Ham.
But living out of a hotel tends to only work out for so long – as he admitted himself.
And if West Ham truly want a 10-year dynasty from Potter then it may present the manager with some big decisions to make.
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