Graham Potter's latest game as West Ham boss saw his side snatch a second-half equaliser against Aston Villa last Sunday.
The English manager has only been on the job for slightly over two weeks, but his impact is already gradually showing.
Potter had been away from the Premier League for nearly two years following his dismissal from Chelsea, and had no shortage of critics during his final term with the Blues, but he has come back to lead their London rivals to one win out of his first four games.
There is work to be done, but the right steps are being taken.
Potter left the match at Villa Park with positive spirits, believing that "the players enjoyed it, I think our fans enjoyed it, and it was just a performance that was full of personality."
However, he is not the only person who sees progress being made as former West Ham striker Carlton Cole, speaking at the launch of Ladbrokes' "Gaffer of all Accas," noticed that Potter's form echoes his previous bright spark with Brighton.
You go back to his Brighton era when he was doing really well. You remember that his side couldn’t buy a goal. The build-up was really good, but they just couldn’t get the goals. And then, all of a sudden, it clicked. But all the while, you could see what he was trying to do and achieve.
Brighton's rise in the past few seasons greatly reflects this. Upon joining the club, Potter inherited a team which barely scraped past relegation in their 2018-19 campaign; pipping Cardiff by two points to finish at 17th.
Over the course of three seasons, Potter had broken their points record with each year, and left the Seagulls in 2022 after a 9th place finish saw the club transformed.
Cole can see Potter's vision coming into fruition and is excited to see what lies ahead for West Ham's future.
Time for Potter is essential. I’ve seen a few of the games he’s been in charge for, and you can see exactly was he’s trying to do. I was a great advocate for him at the start of the season as well – even for the England job. I was calling for him for that because I think of him that highly.
So I was really chuffed when I saw that he was linked to West Ham again. Let’s hope that he can fulfil his potential with this team – he is the right man at this time for West Ham. It’s great for him and the club.
Potter's next test brings West Ham to Stamford Bridge to face his former club, Chelsea in the Premier League this Monday in a London derby which will certainly see if a change is going to come for the Hammers this season.
