West Ham head coach Graham Potter is under significant internal scrutiny, with his position at the London Stadium facing growing pressure following a disappointing start to the Premier League season. This pressure intensified dramatically after Saturday's home defeat by Crystal Palace,a result that marked their fourth loss from five Premier League games, plunging the club to 19th place in the standings.

Multiple sources indicate that even prior to this recent defeat, West Ham had already initiated the process of identifying potential replacements for Potter. This early consideration for alternatives highlights the profound uncertainty surrounding his future, despite the club's acknowledgment that removing a head coach so early in the new season, with only five games played, is far from ideal.

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Among the candidates reportedly pinpointed by West Ham are Nuno Espirito Santo,recently sacked by Nottingham Forest, and former Bournemouth and Wolves boss Gary O'Neil. Internal discussions have also reportedly included the prospect of Slaven Bilic, who has a history of playing for and managing the club, returning on a short-term basis.

Potter, who was appointed in January, has overseen 25 matches, securing only six victories. This record compares unfavorably to his predecessor, Julen Lopetegui, who managed seven wins in 22 games before his dismissal. The team's struggles extend beyond overall results, with a particular vulnerability identified in their defending of set-pieces.

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A critical area of concern for West Ham has been their inability to defend corners effectively. The team has conceded an alarming seven goals from these situations in just five Premier League games. This issue is particularly problematic in modern football, where clubs increasingly employ dedicated coaches to analyze and exploit opponents' weaknesses from set-pieces. BBC Sport has conducted an analysis of West Ham's poor performance in defending corners, examining the specific tactics that opposing teams have successfully deployed against them this season.

With upcoming fixtures against Everton and Arsenal before the international break, Potter faces an immediate challenge to reverse the club's fortunes and alleviate the intense pressure that has led to internal discussions about his potential successors and the team's fundamental defensive shortcomings.