x

Potter: I Felt Our Physicality Would Cause Ipswich Problems - Ipswich Town News

West Ham United head coach Graham Potter was pleased to finish the season by claiming three points via his side’s 3-1 victory over the Blues at Portman Road, but felt his team lost their way for a spell in the first half.

James Ward-Prowse, Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus netted the goals for the Hammers, Nathan Broadhead having netted a leveller for Town, the Wales international’s first home goal since the Southampton game on April 1st last year.

Former Blues left-back Aaron Cresswell, keeper Lukasz Fabianski and right-back Vladimír Coufal all made their final appearances for the East Londoners before moving on this summer.

"It’s a very nice way to finish the season,” said Potter said. "Three points, a good performance in front of our supporters, who were fantastic again, and then obviously a great send-off for the boys.

"It was a very emotional day, and an emotional few days and few weeks actually, so I'm very proud today to be connected with this fantastic football club.”

Reflecting further on the game, he added: "Credit to Ipswich. Obviously, they try to play and they're a well-organised team with Kieran McKenna, he's done a great job here for a couple of years, but I just felt that our physicality could cause them a few problems.

"We had a ten-minute spell in the first half where we lost our way, but apart from that, I thought we were in decent control. We were better when we were more aggressive pressing, and I think the first goal was an error, but a force from us.

"And then actually, I thought we started the second half quite well and looked good, and then we conceded.

"So, credit to the boys, they recovered from that and Jarrod's fantastic finish was a great goal and Mo has just topped it off.

"But in the end it was a good performance, a solid professional performance in a tricky game because, like I said, there's a lot of emotions for us.”

Potter, who was interviewed for the Town manager’s job in the summer of 2018 following Mick McCarthy’s departure, praised Bowen for reacting well to being left out of the England squad named on Friday.

"I thought that his overall performance just sums up him as a person, how he performed today, the energy that he had,” he added.

"Everything that we did that was good. I thought it came through him. In and out of possession, helped the team, ran in behind, linked up, he was a real threat and everyone in the stadium could feel that when he had the ball there was a sharpness to him.

"There was a period in the first half where we lost our way a little bit and then we had to defend and then we had to suffer for about 10 or 15 minutes but apart from that I thought that we were in a good place.

"As a team we have to be better. I don’t like to rely on individuals to dig you out.”

What to read next:

Grant Talks With Huddersfield Ongoing
Talks between Blues first-team coach Lee Grant and Huddersfield Town regarding their management vacancy are ongoing, TWTD understands.
Norwich Target Long-Serving Town Academy Coach Klug
Long-serving Blues academy coach, former assistant boss and three-time caretaker-manager Bryan Klug is being targeted by Norwich City, TWTD understands.
Town XI to Face Lowestoft in Pre-Season
A Town XI will play a pre-season friendly against Lowestoft Town at Crown Meadow on Saturday 5th July (KO 3pm).
Chelsea Strong Favourites to Sign Delap
Chelsea are now the strong favourites to sign Blues striker Liam Delap, TWTD understands.
Chaplin: The Club is in a Much Better Place Than it Was a Year Ago
Town will return to the Championship in a much better place than they left it a year ago, according to forward Conor Chaplin.
Phillips: McKenna Made Me Believe in Myself Again
On-loan Blues midfielder Kalvin Phillips, whose spell at Portman Road is up now the season is at an end, has said his goodbyes and says Town manager Kieran McKenna made him believe in himself again.
Luongo: Together We Have Created Incredible Memories
Exiting Town midfielder Massimo Luongo has thanked everyone at Portman Road having created “incredible” memories together during his time at the club.
Town Bookies' Early Favourites For Championship Title
Town are the bookies’ early favourites to win the 2025/26 Championship title.
Town Coach Grant Linked With Terriers Job
Blues first-team coach Lee Grant is reportedly among the options to take over as manager at League One Huddersfield Town.
Enciso: Thanks For Supporting Me and For the Love
Departing loanee Julio Enciso has said his farewells and thanked everyone at Portman Road following his half-season spell at the club.