Yet there was never any prospect of a sustained onslaught from West Ham and, although there have been positive moments since the departure of Julen Lopetegui last month, Potter must accept that a record of one win from his six first games in charge is not good enough.
Ollie Scarles came on for Emerson at left-back, James Ward-Prowse made his first appearances since being recalled from his loan at Nottingham Forest and the introduction of Ferguson for Carlos Soler meant that West Ham finally had a focal point in attack.
West Ham went more direct at the start of the second half and Ferguson almost had an assist when he drove a cross in from the right, only for Kudus to fire over from six yards.
West Ham created little and it would not have been a travesty if Brentford had added to Kevin Schade’s decisive early goal.
Kudus was having little impact in a central role and Potter had not found a way to make the most of being able to start both Bowen and Paquetá for the first time since being appointed last month.
