Graham Potter given West Ham masterplan amid Marcus Rashford links following return to management

Graham Potter was urged to sign a striker as Darren Bent outlined what he must do to transform West Ham's fortunes.

English was named Irons' new boss on Thursday after Julen Lopetegui was relieved of duties after a disappointing start to the season.

Potterwho opened his time at West Ham with a defeat against Aston Villa in the FA Cup, has signed a two and a half year contract with the Hammerswhich is currently 14th in the Premier League standings.

This is the former Brighton manager's first managerial position since his sacking Chelsea in April 2023, and he certainly has his work cut out for him at the London Stadium.

The east London team, who have asked to be informed Marcus Rashford's situation At Manchester United, they sit seven points above the relegation zone, with just six league wins all season.

and talkSPORT Bent He admitted there is plenty of room for improvement as he identified up to seven key areas Potter must develop to turn the tide at West Ham.

speaking in Drivethe first Tottenham The striker said tackling West Ham's tactics is a top priority for Potter.

He said: “The first thing I would say he has to do is fix the style of play.

“I think when you look at West Ham with David Moyes, that was the only thing West Ham fans were talking about.”

He continued: “I think the style of play was not good enough. Look where they are in terms of average possession, they're 14th. Their average is 46.7 percent possession.”

Despite hopes that Lopetegui would introduce a more entertaining approach to the London Stadium, the Hammers have failed to make progress in this regard.

This season, they have scored just 24 goals, putting them in the bottom six of all Premier League teams.

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However, with Potter winning praise for his possession-based play while in charge of Brighton, Bent was optimistic that he will help bring out the best in West Ham's players.

He continued: “Now, Potter, with him in charge, that will increase significantly.

“The way he plays: front-foot football, making the attacking players throw the ball in the right areas.”

Next on Potter's to-do list was to reinforce his attacking options.

Abroad Jarrod Bowen has assumed scoring responsibility for West Ham this season, with the summer signing Niclas Fullkrug achieving only two league goals all season.

And with Michael Antonio away for an extended periodBent admitted the Irons could do with a new focal point up front.

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He said: “I think Jarrod Bowen is their top scorer with five. Then it's (Tomas) fountain and (Mohamed) Kudus.

“Kudus has scored three goals. It's much better than that, than three goals!”

“The reason I say sign a high-quality centre-forward is that I really like Niklas Fulkrug, I thought he was brilliant in the European Championship with Germany. He scored a good goal in his last game.

“But he's 31 now. That's a short-term solution. That doesn't tell me you're going to be a center forward for the next five or six years.

“So I would go out and try to sign a suitable centre-forward.”

Among Potter's other key areas were improving West Ham's home form and getting the best out of the playmaker. Lucas Paquetá.

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Bent highlighted the importance of improving home form, saying: “They have to make the London Stadium a strength. Make it solid, a difficult place to go.

“Right now they are in 15th place in the local rankings. There is no way you can deliver the goods or have a good season if you are at home, you are only 15th in the Premier League table.

“You have to be better than that. So they have won three home games all season in the Premier League. “That's not enough.”

And Bent believes Potter must get the best out of Paquetá, who scored in the 2-1 defeat to Villa, if he is to make his stay in the capital a success.

The former England striker urged: “We have to get back to Paquetá's form. I think he is a top-level player, with a lot of quality, but this season we have not seen the best of him.

“He has so much skill, so much quality. I think you have to find the best position for him and get the best out of him. Because once he makes them play, they will be a better team with him.”