Graham Potter came out all guns blazing ahead of Friday’s derby between West Ham and Chelsea.
The Hammers manager immediately joked that last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Sunderland must have been bad, considering how many journalists were in attendance for his press conference.
He was not wrong, West Ham had been torn apart at the Stadium of Light.
The atmosphere turned prickly at Rush Green on Thursday when that performance and the questions it posed were put to Potter.
Potter was in a defiant mood, keen to emphasise his belief not only in himself but his players.
“I have no doubt whatsoever about my ability,” he Potter ahead of what is a big night for the 50-year-old against his former club Chelsea.
“No doubt whatsoever, and I have no doubt about the players. I have no doubt about the team that (they) will improve. No doubt. I understand people will be critical. I understand people will be negative. I understand that's the world we're in.”
Potter batted away talk of the pressure getting to him.
“Everybody's entitled to their opinion. Everybody's entitled to put pressure on. I couldn't care less what you guys think or what people say from outside,” Potter continued.
“I come in here, work with the guys, do my very best for the club, fight every day to improve, and that's what I'll continue to do.”
A rallying cry or a sign of straining tension? Either way, it was Potter at his most authentic.
How West Ham could do with some of the fight on display from their manager on Thursday.
They were insipid against Sunderland, and Chelsea will sense blood as they look for a reaction after last weekend’s goalless draw with Crystal Palace.
Potter needs time to bed in his ideas. West Ham insist they are sympathetic to that, but things will need to improve.
A positive result against Chelsea would change the mood.
