It's Potterball

So Graham Potter — Harry was unavailable — has finally been confirmed as West Ham's new manager. There were rumours he'd been offered an initial six-month contract but Potter was right to play hardball and hold out for a two and a half year deal.

It's a move that suits both parties. Like David Moyes Potter has something to prove after only lasting eight months at Chelsea — though with a 50-man squad of scattergun signings the Blues were hardly manageable. Already in his first interview Potter has seemed more inspiriing than half a season of Lopetegui.

He's a progressive coach who was a journeyman player, which is normally a good sign. In Sweden Potter took Ostersund from division four to the first division and a trophy, he had a mid-table season re-booting Swansea City and then stabalised Brighton from defensive relegation strugglers to an established Premier League club playing fluent football. Yes, he benefitted from Brighton's recruitment system, but also established the team that De Zerbi went on to take into Europe.

It's good he's a bit different. Much of the modern game is about psychology and Potter has an MA in leadership and emotional intelligence, so should be able to understand both very angry geezers from Benfleet in the Bobby Moore Stand and the foibles of our modern superstars. Lopetegui had rows with Kudus and Todibo while other players apparently complained to Mark Noble, so Potter will have to employ all his man management skills.

In Sweden he once got his squad to put on a play in order to increase team bonding, so he might yet find a role for my fellow season ticket holder Michael the Playwright. Though any West Ham play would presumably be A Comedy of Errors. He's also had players trying ballet and rapping so it should be interesting. His former players speak highly of him so let's see what Graham can do with our lot. Encouragingly he likes to promote young players, which is good news for the Academy.

Praising the fans is always a good start, as Potter has just done, but he will face big challenges with the current squad. Initially the most important thing is that his arrival will lift the crowd as the London Stadium was drowning in apathy. It's a new start for both fans and players. Come on you Irons!