Graham Potter is set to “construct one thing” at West Ham United after a troublesome begin to his spell on the London Stadium.
Potter changed Julen Lopetegui in January, however received simply one in every of his first six video games earlier than a run of eight matches and not using a victory.
The 50-year-old did, nevertheless, handle to information the Hammers to a 14th-placed end on the finish of the season, because of important away wins at Manchester United and Ipswich City.
Regardless of hinting at modifications off the pitch, Potter insisted his gamers are the first focus forward of their first sport of the Premier League season towards Sunderland.
“The coach’s job is to construct one thing,” stated Potter. “You’ve acquired to attempt to enhance your staff, enhance the membership, enhance the gamers. That’s the trick.
“I don’t assume we would have liked drastic change. It’s tempting to assume that the answer goes to be exterior however, from my perspective, the main target ought to all the time be on the gamers you’ve gotten – with a watch on enhancing.
“For those who look again over a 12-month interval as much as that time [Lopetegui sacking], the staff had conceded numerous objectives which is a sign that, perhaps, one thing wasn’t fairly proper on a cultural or basis degree.
“It was one thing we began to do numerous work with final season. We did make some progress however pre-season offers you an opportunity to make extra of an inroad, which I believe we have now executed.”
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Sunderland, in the meantime, are making their return to the Premier League this Saturday, having not competed within the division since 2016-17.
The Black Cats have been one of many busier golf equipment in the summertime switch window, with 11 summer time signings arriving on the Stadium of Gentle, together with the skilled Granit Xhaka, as nicely Simon Adingra and Reinildo Mandava.
Whereas head coach Regis Le Bris has stated it is going to take time for his new gamers to combine into the squad after successful simply two of their eight pre-season video games, however believes there’s a “optimistic” power across the staff.
“We’d like time however on the similar time we don’t have time. Performances are wanted,” stated Le Bris.
“The method is ongoing however we will really feel the power is optimistic. We all know the problem might be powerful however to succeed in will probably be actually vital.
“Our togetherness and depth and want to play for Sunderland will assist.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sunderland – Wilson Isidor
Wilson Isidor was Sunderland’s high scorer within the Championship final season with 13 objectives, which was additionally the tied fifth-highest within the English second division.
The 24-year-old scored of their 4-0 pre-season win over non-league South Shields earlier than lacking their subsequent 5 video games by damage. Nonetheless, the striker was capable of play 68 minutes of their closing pleasant towards Rayo Vallecano.
West Ham – Jarrod Bowen
Jarrod Bowen was West Ham’s talisman as soon as once more final season, discovering the online 13 instances in 34 league video games whereas additionally offering eight assists.
Bowen additionally scored in every of his final 4 Premier League appearances in 2024-25 and will change into the primary West Ham participant to attain in 5 in a row since Jesse Lingard in April 2021.
MATCH PREDICTION – WEST HAM WIN
Previous to their relegation from the top-flight in 2017, Sunderland struggled towards West Ham. They’re winless of their final eight league video games towards the Hammers (D4 L4), most lately drawing 2-2 in April 2017.
The Black Cats have an identical document on Premier League opening days, failing to win their opening match in any of their final seven seasons (D4 L3).
Le Bris, in the meantime, would be the ninth Frenchman to handle a membership within the Premier League. Simply two of the earlier eight have received their first ever match within the competitors (D3 L3) – Arsene Wenger with Arsenal in October 1996 (2-0 v Blackburn Rovers) and Alain Perrin with Portsmouth in April 2005 (4-2 v Charlton Athletic).
West Ham have a very good document towards newly-promoted sides, with the Hammers successful every of the earlier three opening day matches towards such groups (v Barnsley in 1997-98, Wolves in 2009-10 and Cardiff Metropolis in 2013-14).
Potter’s aspect have additionally received their final two Premier League away video games in 2024-25, the one time they received consecutively on the highway final time period. They final received three in a row in October 2021.
Nonetheless, West Ham have misplaced their opening match of a Premier League season extra instances than another aspect (16), with the Hammers additionally conceding extra MD1 objectives than anybody else (50).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Sunderland – 30.3%
Draw – 26.4%
West Ham – 43.3%
