West Ham news: Graham Potter ‘can be the right fit’

Graham Potter had a couple of positive results when he first came in at West Ham, but it has been really difficult for him since then and I am surprised there has not been more of a ‘new manager bounce’ reaction.

You could see how they were performing under Julen Lopetegui was not great and fans were not happy, but I do think it is very difficult for managers that come in part way through a season.

When you take over a team mid-season that have been coached in a certain way, you are then trying to then put your philosophy in place, trying to understand players and trying to build your own system and it can be difficult.

Potter is a fantastic manager. We saw that when he was at Brighton and you have to give him time. They do have injuries, they do not have an out and out recognised striker at the moment.

They brought in Evan Ferguson, which I think will help if they can get him fit because we saw what he could do at Brighton when he was playing. They certainly miss that focal point. Bowen has been playing all over the place under both managers and that has probably not helped as he has not really been able to get that form we saw last season.

It is about timing for managers.

Apart from Ferguson, Potter was not really able to bring anybody in so now it is about getting through the season and seeing what you can do in the summer in terms of identifying where they want to take the club. Clear communication against an objective from the club and the owners is what the manager and fans want and will help the team.

It is difficult at the moment but I do think with time that Potter can be the right fit for West Ham.

I believe he will get that time and I think he deserves that time too.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport’s Nicola Pearson