By Conor Hogan

In a West Ham season full of disappointment, Freddie Potts has been a rare glimmer of optimism.

The 22-year-old academy graduate has broken through into the first team this season and become a regular under Nuno Espírito Santo. Although his integration has partly been driven by a lack of depth and quality in midfield, it has still been heartening for Hammers fans to see a local lad come through the ranks and establish himself at senior level.

Potts has made 16 league appearances this campaign, registering one assist while primarily operating as a deep-lying midfielder. He has brought energy and tenacity to what was previously a leggy West Ham midfield, while also showing composure and positivity in possession. He is far from the finished article, but he has been a refreshing presence in an otherwise bleak season.

After his first few games, some supporters even suggested he could be an England international in the near future — such was the impression he made upon his introduction to Premier League football.

However, the mood around the midfielder appears to have shifted slightly in recent weeks. While some of the criticism has been fair, a portion of the fanbase has gone further, branding Potts as merely a “Championship-level” player and questioning whether he is good enough to help the Irons escape relegation.

That change in perception was particularly noticeable when I watched West Ham’s recent defeat to Nottingham Forest in a pub in Dublin alongside around twenty fellow Hammers fans. When Potts came on in the 80th minute, he was met with a surprisingly hostile reaction from those inside the bar — a stark contrast to the warm reception he received when Nuno first introduced him to the side back in November.

Perhaps Potts does not enjoy quite the same affection among supporters abroad as he does in East London, but the reaction was still jarring. I had always assumed he was one of the few players in this squad who commanded near-universal respect.

Despite the recent criticism, I remain a big admirer of Potts. He is a talented footballer who plays with courage, intelligence and maturity beyond his years. Just as importantly, he is a local lad — someone who understands what West Ham means, something this squad is often accused of lacking.

I disagree with those who label him a “Championship player”. But if the worst does happen in May, Potts would undoubtedly be a huge asset in England’s second tier.