Graham Potter has felt some pressure at West Ham for the first time this week as he made it just three wins from 12 games.
West Ham were already a mess when Graham Potter took over in January.
But after some encouraging glimpses during performances, fans hoped he might be able to turn their season on its head.
After defeat at Wolves was followed up by a draw with Bournemouth, the Hammers have won just three of Potter’s first 12 games.
Performances have not improved markedly and some fans already questioning the appointment.
Potter still struggling for West Ham lift off
Amid fan murmurings after the Wolves defeat, West Ham’s board leaked that they have a break clause in Potter’s contract.
The Hammers have let it be known they can rip up Potter’s contract next season.
Hardly a ringing endorsement for his West Ham reign thus far.
Potter even had to respond about his future when questioned in the wake of the report about his contract.
As things stand Potter has a 25 per cent win ratio.
That will undoubtedly have to improve drastically if he is to see out his two-and-a-half year deal.
Supporters were hoping Potter would use the fact West Ham are under no pressure and have no cup or European interruptions to preparations to implement his style and approach.
Fans believed they might get a taster of what’s to come next season.
But many performances have been much the same as those witnessed under his predecessors Julen Lopetegui and David Moyes.
That in itself could be telling about where most of the blame lies for the fact West Ham could finish the season as the worst team outside the bottom three – the players.
Most rational Hammers fans are giving Potter this season as grace and will judge him when he has his own players in the side next season.
Board leaked Potter has Hammers break clause
Although there are reservations among some that the club might risk conducting another rebuild around a manager without any real suggestion he is going to be the right fit long-term.
That is what is going to happen, though, according to one leading pundit.
West Ham are set for a major Potter change this summer claims Danny Murphy after the break clause leak.
Analysing Potter’s tenure so far and his future, Murphy says big changes are coming at the London Stadium.
Gary Lineker says there’s been ‘no magic wand’ for Potter at West Ham and asked Murphy if he can see any progress.
West Ham set for major Potter change this summer Murphy
Murphy stated there has only been ‘a little bit’, saying there have been ‘highs and lows’.
But he insists Potter should not be judged until next season when he believes he will have made big changes in the summer window.
“A lit bit (of progress under Potter) yea,” Murphy said on BBC’s Match of the Day.
“I’ve watched them live a couple of times, they’re trying to play a bit more football and be a bit more attacking.
“But we’ve got to give him some time to bring in the players he wants.
“There’s been some highs, there’s been some lows but let’s just hold judgement.
“I expect to do a bit of business in the summer and see a different West Ham next season.”
West Ham fans will be dearly hoping Murphy is right.
Another overhaul is the only answer
The problem is the Hammers cannot keep going through a cycle of huge turnarounds in the squad.
Last summer saw a 21-player overhaul – that’s almost an entire squad changed in one window.
This summer there arguably needs to be another double digit revamp.
Then will come the excuses that it takes time for the team to gel.
The fact Potter has not set the world alight is making the big decision on backing him to carry out the rebuild even more difficult.
But at some point West Ham have to stand behind the man they appointed and back him to turn the ship around.
What is perfectly clear after this rare luxury of a giant pre-season, is that Potter won’t be able to do it with the current crop of players.
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