‘Hostile’ - Sam Allardyce identifies West Ham concern that could all but confirm relegation
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Jack Heath
Mon 22 September 2025 18:43, UK
Sam Allardyce has highlighted West Ham United’s home form and atmosphere as a key issue which could lead to the club’s relegation to the Championship.
Prior to the 2-1 defeat by Crystal Palace on 20 September, sources told Football Insider that Graham Potter has “four more games” to save his West Ham job.
That number has quickly become three with Football Insider exclusively revealing that Slaven Bilic and Gary O’Neil are shortlisted to replace Potter at West Ham.
Former chief scout at Man United and Sunderland Mick Brown told Football Insider that the West Ham board should be appalled by their treatment of Potter.
Ex-Irons boss Allardyce gave his view on where things could go from bad to worse for the east London side.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
Speaking on talkSPORT (22 September), the brief England manager spoke openly on the Hammers’ troubles which could doom them to a devastating relegation come the end of the season.
Allardyce also highlighted how the London Stadium has quickly become a fearful place for the Irons to play with home support often turning on their players when playing poorly.
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Discussing the club’s abysmal start to the season, he said: “The problem is I think the home form for West Ham, the fact that, you know, if it doesn’t go well then it gets pretty hostile pretty quickly and I think that has an effect particularly on the players.
“And that’s one of the problems that Graham [Potter] has to get the players over with and get them playing better and winning more games at home.”
With just one win in five matches in the Premier League as well as being knocked out of the EFL Cup, it has arguably been one of the worst starts to the season for the Irons.
Potter is massively out of his depth with his side shipping the most goals in the English top-flight so far.
The Hammers fan protests have clearly shown their distaste with the current ownership and how things are being run as change continues to be demanded.
Graham Potter West Ham United managerial record (as of 22 September)Games managed25Wins6Draws5Defeats14(Source: Sofascore)
The inevitable sacking of the former Brighton boss may appease supporters’ anger for the short-term but a lack of wider transformation will lead to fan unrest bubbling up once again.
Talismanic figures Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen are trying their best to get the team moving in the right direction with little joy, barring the 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest.
A continuation of Potter’s tenure will ultimately lead to certain relegation and the east London outfit dropping into the Championship for the first time since 2011-12.