Graham Potter’s Tactical Adjustments at West Ham: Vladimir Coufal’s New Role and Defensive Concerns
West Ham United have undergone significant changes in recent months, with Julen Lopetegui’s tenure coming to an abrupt end and Graham Potter stepping in as his successor in early January 2025. Lopetegui had been in the process of reshaping the squad, making several signings during his time in charge, but ultimately, inconsistent performances saw the Spaniard dismissed with West Ham sitting in 14th place in the Premier League.
Despite the mid-season managerial change, Potter had little time to put his stamp on the team during the winter transfer window. The only addition during January was highly-rated Irish forward Evan Ferguson, who arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion. The limited business meant Potter had to work with the squad Lopetegui assembled, dealing with key injuries to players such as Jean-Clair Todibo, Michail Antonio, Niclas Füllkrug, and Crysencio Summerville. These absences have forced the new manager to make tactical adjustments in an effort to steady the ship and improve results.
One of Potter’s notable changes has been his use of Vladimir Coufal in a new defensive role. The Czech international, who was primarily used as a right-back under previous managers, had seen his game time reduced earlier in the season following the arrival of Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United. Wan-Bissaka’s performances at right-back have been impressive, leading to Jamie Carragher criticizing Coufal’s recent displays as “sloppy” on Sky Sports. However, Potter has found a way to reintegrate Coufal into the team by deploying him as one of the three centre-backs in a makeshift back-three formation.
So far, this experiment has shown some promise. Coufal delivered solid performances in recent matches against Aston Villa and Chelsea, even though West Ham only managed to secure a single point from those two games. His ability to provide defensive stability while also being comfortable on the ball has given Potter a reliable option at the back, though it remains to be seen if this positional shift is a long-term solution.
Can Potter Solve West Ham’s Defensive Issues?
West Ham’s defensive struggles have been a major concern for the past two seasons. During the 2023/24 campaign, the Hammers conceded a significant number of goals, with only relegated sides Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United having worse defensive records. That problem has persisted into the current season, as West Ham once again find themselves among the league’s most vulnerable teams at the back.
For Potter, stabilizing the defense is a priority as he attempts to steer the club clear of the relegation battle. Although West Ham currently sit three places above the drop zone, their form has been inconsistent, and a string of poor results could easily drag them into trouble. Relegation to the Championship still seems unlikely, but Potter and his squad must ensure they start collecting more points from winnable games to avoid an unnecessarily difficult campaign.
Recent Results and Upcoming Challenges
West Ham’s recent results under Potter have been mixed. Since his appointment, the Hammers have played the following matches:
January 4, 2025: Manchester City 4-1 West Ham (Premier League)
January 14, 2025: West Ham 3-2 Fulham (Premier League)
January 18, 2025: West Ham 0-2 Crystal Palace (Premier League)
January 26, 2025: Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham (Premier League)
February 3, 2025: Chelsea 2-1 West Ham (Premier League)
These results highlight the inconsistency in West Ham’s performances. A crucial victory over Fulham provided a brief boost, but losses to Crystal Palace and Chelsea, combined with a heavy defeat to Manchester City, have kept them closer to the relegation battle than they would like.
Looking ahead, Potter will be tasked with improving defensive solidity while also finding ways to get the best out of his attacking players, including new signing Evan Ferguson. If he can successfully implement his philosophy, West Ham should be able to secure safety and build towards a more promising future. However, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Hammers can turn their season around.