Graham Potter has said “everyone” is to blame for West Ham’s disastrous start to the Premier League season. Despite taking an early led through Lucas Paqueta’s stunning early goal, the Hammers were humiliated 5-1 by Chelsea at the London Stadium.
Fans headed for the exits as early as 35 minutes in, when the hosts were only 3-1 down. The result follows the 3-0 defeat at Sunderland last week, and leaves Potter under extreme pressure just two games into the season. Afterwards, he tried to make sense of his side’s plight.
Asked who was to blame for the situation, he told Sky Sports: “Everyone.” He also admitted he had “to look at himself” and lamented his side’s poor defensive display.
“Incredibly disappointed of course with the result,” he added. “A good start, scored a great goal and then conceded a cheap goal and that probably set the tone for the evening. We played a top side but the manner of the goals we conceded made it impossible for us. We have to do better.”
Fans have criticised the West Ham board for their lack of transfer activity this summer, but Potter, 50, argued his side needed more than just new signings, adding: “We will always look but its more fundamental than that, we have to make it harder for teams to score against us.”
West Ham now play Wolves in the League Cup on Tuesday before facing Nottingham Forest next Sunday ahead of the international break-up. Asked whether team meetings or training ground work was needed to sort out the problems, he replied “both.”
West Ham skipper Jarrod Bowen was scathing about his side’s start, admitting the squad needed to improve displays considerably. He also vowed to try and motivate players to turn things around.
“Basic football I don’t think we’re doing very well enough. I can tell you that because we’ve conceded eight in two,” he said. “Myself, as captain, I’m fuming with the first couple of weeks and I share that responsibility and it’s down to me to get a reaction from everyone.”
