Graham Potter admits West Ham board must 'hear criticism' of fan protests | OneFootball

The Hammers’ hierarchy has come under fire for failing to build on their Conference League title

Graham Potter said West Ham must stick together ahead of planned protests before this Saturday’s game at home to Crystal Palace.

Supporters’ groups Hammers United and Crossed Hammers are set to stage protests against the club’s board this weekend after the West Ham Fan Advisory Board issued a vote of no confidence two weeks ago.

West Ham released a statement on Wednesday night in reaction to the vote of no confidence, in which they accepted that results and performances over the past two seasons had not been good enough.

Potter admitted the club had to hear the criticism levelled at them, which includes the failure to build on their Conference League success in 2023 and the matchday experience at the London Stadium, but said everyone at West Ham has the club’s best interests at heart.

“I think you have to do lots of things in these jobs, you have to build, you have to develop, but you also have to win, and I think it's fair to say we haven't done that as much as we'd like,” Potter told the press.

“Then when you don't do that as much as you'd like, there's always pressure, negativity, all those things. But at the end of the day, this job is a fantastic job, it's an important job at an amazing football club, with an incredible support, a fan base, and an ambition.”

Potter, who is under increasing pressure after losing three of his first four league games this season, continued: “So, if you want to do something good, and it is important and it's hard, then it's going to be difficult, it's going to be hard. That's just the nature of the job, in the highest league in the world, if you think it's going to be easy, then it clearly isn't.

“But I think you have to do all of those things, build, develop and win.”

Potter says he’s not paying attention to outside noise, focusing instead on pulling West Ham away from the relegation zone.

“I think at every football club, if you don't win as much as you'd like, there's always noise, there's always pressure, there's always criticism, and that's fair, that's the world we're in.

Empty seats: Graham Potter and West Ham have endured a chastening start to the campaign

REUTERS

“Everybody wants West Ham to do well, the fans do, the players do, me and my staff do, the board do, we're all on the same page in terms of how much we love the club and how much we want the club to do well.

“We're all hurting the same, so we have to try to, and we will stick together, we will, because that's part of this club as well, it's part of something really special about this club.

“But at the same time, you have to hear when there's criticism and when there's feedback, you have to hear that as well and listen to that and think about how you can improve.”

Pressure is building on Potter, but the 50-year-old maintains he is committed to turning things around. West Ham could go level on points with Palace if they secure their first home win of the season on Saturday.

He said his side must play the perfect game to get three points against Palace, but was adamant there were signs of encouragement in their defeats at home to Tottenham and Chelsea.

“I think there were signs against Tottenham, there were signs against Chelsea, but again, probably where we're at at the moment, to compete with those teams, it's difficult.

“We have to be perfect, and we weren't perfect, and then you're punished, and when the scoreline goes against you, that's ultimately the game.”