Graham Potter excited by West Ham trio’s new-found partnership despite Jean-Clair Todibo concerns..
At long last, a disillusioned West Ham United fanbase had a decent chunk of ‘Potter-ball’ to sink their teeth into during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Ok, it was less of a decadent Sunday afternoon lunch with all the trimmings and more a tasty hors d’oeuvre.
Yet, as West Ham United beautifully carved through Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham like a sharpened blade through a plump turkey, there was at least a sense that Graham Potter’s methods might finally be starting to take shape.
A fine, back-to-front move which started with a brave pass from Alphonse Areola into the feet of Lucas Paqueta.
The mercurial Brazilian – excellent in a deeper-lying role – played a lovely first-time ball round the corner to Max Kilman. Via three one-touch passes, Mohammed Kudus then fired a big switch from the left to the right.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a constant presence down the flank, finally picked out Jarrod Bowen’s darting run in behind a flat Spurs backline as the captain slotted a sub-zero finish through the legs of a helpless Guglielmo Vicario.
Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images
Graham Potter excited by West Ham partnerships as Jarrod Bowen rescues point
During much happier times at Brighton and Hove Albion, Potter prided himself upon his possession-with-a-purpose principles.
After a pretty awful start to life in the Hammers dugout – Graham Potter admits the pressure is starting to tell despite the West Ham boss retaining the board’s backing – the goal which earned his team a point at home to Spurs at least suggested all those hours on the training pitch had not gone to waste.
Speaking at full-time, following one of The Hammers’ better displays in the post-Julen Lopetegui era, Potter spoke excitedly about the growing understanding between Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jarrod Bowen down the right-hand side.
Potter, who watched the former assist the latter to cancel out Wilson Odobert’s rapid-fire opener, adds Jean-Clair Todibo to the mix, even if the jury remains very much out on the £36 million signing from Nice.
“JC [Todibo] has had a tight hamstring this week so we were worried about him towards the back end of the game. [But] I thought he was doing well. Him, Aaron and Jarrod have got a nice relationship down there I think,” Potter says.
“It was a good goal. I think it came from ‘Phonse.
“Spurs are not easy to play through because their physicality and how they press, they go pretty much man for man. So you’ve got to be brave with how you find your spare man and create some space and we did that well and it was a really good goal.”
Wan-Bissaka pleased by West Ham response to Tottenham opener
Bowen lead the line with Niclas Fullkrug playing a more withdrawn role. The skipper now has double figures in three of his last four Premier League campaigns. And, while he arrived amid major concerns over his quality in the final third, Wan-Bissaka now has five goals or assists from right-back.
Wan-Bissaka’s Hammer of the Year credentials are growing by the week.
“All round, I think every player gave their best, from the the boys who started to the boys that came on the pitch,” says Wan-Bissaka, speaking ahead of next week’s return to Old Trafford.
“As a team [we pressed well], going together. That pushes everyone on.
“We had to bounce back from their goal. Obviously, that’s the hard part, coming back from 1-0 down. We stayed positive and knew that we’d get our chance.”
About The Author
