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<p>Reunion with Chelsea on Friday</p>
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<img alt="Graham Potter has the worst record of any West Ham manager - is he under pressure?"
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title="Graham Potter has the worst record of any West Ham manager - is he under pressure?">
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<p>The excitement surrounding the return of the new Premier League season for West Ham fans quickly faded. The club's transfer window has been relatively uneventful, with Callum Wilson's free transfer being their sole attacking addition so far. However, there was optimism that the Hammers could secure a victory against newly-promoted Sunderland. Unfortunately, after 90 minutes, the fans were left frustrated as Graham Potter's squad succumbed to a 3-0 defeat, increasing the pressure on the English manager.</p>
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<p>Potter took over last January, successfully steering West Ham away from relegation, but his tenure was not particularly inspiring at the London Stadium, with only six wins in 19 Premier League matches last season. Still, it seemed premature to assess his complete impact at the club. This season, however, Potter will face mounting expectations concerning results and overall performance. Following the Sunderland loss, he has now set the unwanted record of being the club's least effective manager based on points per game (PPG), according to <em>Transfermarkt</em> data.</p>
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<h2>Graham Potter’s PPG Record: The Worst Among West Ham Managers</h2>
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<p>It should be noted that Potter's data is derived from a very limited sample size of just 20 matches. In that span, he has achieved a PPG of only 1.00, marking the lowest for any West Ham manager in the Premier League's history, as well as among all managers recorded in <em>Transfermarkt's</em> historical stats. His predecessor, Julen Lopetegui, who was often criticized during his tenure, still managed a PPG of 1.18 - higher than Potter's current record.</p>
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<p>The graphic above illustrates how Potter's record stands in comparison to other historically poor West Ham managers in terms of points per game. The contrast is stark, especially considering that this West Ham squad was celebrating as Europa Conference League champions merely two years ago, consistently participating in European competitions under David Moyes. While Potter deserves some time to establish himself, the aging squad may hinder his efforts.</p>
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<h2>Addressing the Aging Squad</h2>
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<p>Last season, West Ham had the oldest squad in the Premier League, averaging 28.0 years in age. Although they've slightly improved, dropping to an average of 27.0 years this summer, they still rank as the fourth oldest team in the league. During pre-season, Potter showcased young midfielder Freddie Potts, who had spent last season on loan at Portsmouth, believing his youthful energy could be crucial to his approach. However, against Sunderland, Potter chose to field veteran players like James Ward-Prowse (30) and Guido Rodríguez (31), highlighting the lack of dynamism in West Ham’s midfield.</p>
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<p>Player Comparison</p>
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<p>West Ham United</p>
<p>West Ham United</p>
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<p>€8.00m</p>
<p>Market Value</p>
<p>€10.00m</p>
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<p>Central Midfield</p>
<p>Position</p>
<p>Defensive Midfield</p>
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<p>30.06.2027</p>
<p>Contract until</p>
<p>30.06.2027</p>
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<p><span>Full Player Comparison</span></p>
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<p>This summer, the club did sign 20-year-old left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, whose energy could prove vital. Additionally, with promising youngsters like Oliver Scarles coming through, there is potential for revitalization. Nevertheless, the current squad feels stagnant, and further investment in youth may be essential to steer clear of another challenging season. Last year, they scraped by with just 43 points, only avoiding true relegation drama thanks to the poor performances of the three newly promoted teams. This season, they may not be as fortunate. Comprehensive improvements are necessary both on and off the pitch for the Hammers.</p>
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