West Ham United is gearing up for their Premier League clash against newly promoted Sunderland this Saturday. Manager Graham Potter is focused on building a strong foundation for the team, rather than making sweeping changes.

A New Era at West Ham

Potter took over at West Ham in January, replacing Julen Lopetegui. He inherited a team in disarray, and while he quickly identified the issues, it wasn't until this summer that he could begin to address them properly. His initial six games saw only one victory, but a late-season rally helped West Ham finish 14th.

Potter's Philosophy

Unlike some high-profile managers who might demand immediate and expensive reinforcements, Potter prefers a more measured approach. He believes in improving the existing squad and fostering a positive environment.

"The coach's job is to build something," Potter said. "You've got to try and improve your team, improve the club, improve the players. That's the trick."

Lessons from the Past

Potter's managerial career began at Swedish fourth-tier club Ostersunds, where his patient approach led to three promotions and a historic Swedish Cup victory. This success earned the club their first European campaign, where they were eventually eliminated by Arsenal.

Challenges at Chelsea

Potter's time at Chelsea was less successful. The club's high spending and rapid player turnover made it difficult for him to implement his plans, leading to his dismissal after just seven months.

"I've experienced what £300m can do," Potter said. "It's not always positive."

Current Focus at West Ham

This summer, West Ham has seen several key players leave, including Michail Antonio. However, the club has also made strategic signings, such as goalkeeper Mads Hermansen and defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Looking Ahead

Potter acknowledges that the club will continue to look for new talent but warns against making changes just for the sake of it.

"I don't think we needed drastic change," he said. "It's tempting to think that the solution is going to be external but, from my perspective, the focus should always be on the players you have - with an eye on improving."

Building Trust

One of Potter's main goals is to rebuild trust within the team. He believes that a stable and supportive environment is crucial for long-term success.

"When we arrived there was, for different reasons, a low-trust environment. When you change the manager halfway through the season, there's a feeling something isn't quite working."

Pre-Season Progress

Potter is optimistic about the progress made during pre-season and is confident that the team is on the right track.

"We did make some progress but pre-season gives you a chance to make more of an inroad, which I think we have done."

West Ham fans are hopeful that Potter's steady and methodical approach will lead to a successful season in the Premier League.