By Louis Nixon

Freddie Potts showed once again why he’s become a regular starter in Nuno’s side after a key individual performance against Aston Villa

The young Hammer ended up being one of the highest-rated players on the pitch, ending with an average 7.6 rating, only having Bowen to match. Potts got his first assist in Claret & Blue and certainly wore his heart on his sleeve for this afternoon’s game as he proved to make vital challenges, create chances and overall was there for the crucial moments he was required for. 

His countless moments of persistent pressure matched Fernandes and when working alongside one another, they both act like two peas in a pod. Unfortunately, Potts’ immense performance will be slightly hindered by the fact that the result didn’t go our way, but given the fact that a lot wasn’t given our way for 90 minutes, it doesn’t exactly give a surprise.

Ultimately, it’s convenient how, during the Graham Potter spell, we struggled with the midfield the majority of the time and we had a solution waiting to be used, yet he wasn’t given a chance, and you have to imagine what state the now-glued midfield would be in if he hadn’t been given the chance to prove himself. Fortunately, Nuno has now been able to reap the reward of giving Freddie a chance and now week in week out watch the young Englishman put in win-worthy performances and ones that will certainly prove dividends come the future. 

Potts’ clinical ability would see him have a 96% pass success rate and four passes into the final third, which provided a field of opportunities to the forwards, who, unfortunately, weren’t able to convert all the chances, bar Jarrod Bowen. 

At one point, the Hammers had absolutely nothing in the midfield, but with a change of events, it now seems that our midfield is what can control and keep our opposition quiet in games and part of having that key necessity into staying in the Premier League this season, is thanks to Freddie Potts.