Analysis: Evidence of progress for Potterpublished at 19:33
19:33
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Graham Potter's double fist-pump celebration at Callum Wilson's third goal was understated, but it will have relieved the growing tension of the opening weeks of the season.
But the Hammers' problems stretch back further than the new term. Including Sunday's win, Potter has overseen just six victories from 24 games since he took charge in January.
His position had been in jeopardy before their trip to Nottingham, following defeats by Sunderland and Chelsea.
Potter now has the same amount of points in one more game than predecessor Julen Lopetegui had before he was dismissed.
The Spaniard was sacked having won 23 points from his 20 top flight games, suggesting there is precedence at the London Stadium for a swift change.
But victory at The City Ground shows there is life in this West Ham side, led by talisman Jarrod Bowen, and they deserved victory.
Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham: What Potter and Bowen said published at 16:33
16:33
Media caption,
Graham Potter spoke to BBC Match of the Day after West Ham's victory against Nottingham Forest: "I have been a manager for 15 years, relatively competent sometimes but it's the players. It's their day today. They've carried out the sea in a really good way. We restricted Forest and carried a threat ourselves.
On Jarrod Bowen: "There is no doubt about Jarrod. we know how much he loves the club, how much he cares. He's a fantastic captain. It's great he gets the moment in front of the supporters who love him.
On Lucas Paqueta's performance: "The noise has been around Lucas for a long time and the way he conducts himself is incredible. He gave everything for the team again today and contributed with a goal and the win.
On if Paqueta will remain at West Ham: "Yes."
Bowen also spoke to Match of the Day after victory at the City Ground: "It was 0-0 for so long and we stuck at it. We got three goals but it could have been a lot more. I thought we defended well and limited them in terms of chances. They're a really good side, they've got Europe and were flying last season. They didn't score and we scored three. We deserved our win."
On exchange with fans versus Wolves: "When things aren't going and you're captain... I'm someone who cares about this club. I play with my heart and these things happen. I play with passion and loyalty. It's never personal with fans, it's all for the love of the club. Today to have that exchange with them in a positive manner before the international break. When those good times come, you enjoy them a lot."
On Lucas Paqueta: "Don't believe everything you read online. Some people didn't think he'd turn up and play but he turned up and scored.
Did you know?
Since the start of April, West Ham's Jarrod Bowen has been directly involved in more goals than any other player in the Premier League (10 – seven goals, three assists).
Since the start of the 2022-23 campaign, no player has scored more goals as a substitute than West Ham's Callum Wilson in the Premier League (8 – level with Jhon Durán).
West Ham boss Graham Potter hands Mateus Fernandes his debut after he joined from Southampton this week.
The Hammers paid over £40m for the midfielder and he goes into the starting line up.
Mads Hermansen, Max Kilman and Niclas Fullkrug return from the 3-2 EFL Cup defeat at Wolves while Crysencio Summerville is on the bench after a long-term hamstring injury.
New signing Soungoutou Magassa is unavailable as his move from Monaco was completed too late on Friday but Lucas Paqueta starts despite interest from Aston Villa.
West Ham XI: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Diouf, Fernandes, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Paqueta, Bowen, Fullkrug
Sutton's predictions: Forest v West Hampublished at 11:01
11:01
It's been a good start to the season for Nottingham Forest despite all of their off-the-pitch turbulence. They got a draw last week coming from behind at Crystal Palace and were excellent against Brentford in their first game.
West Ham look flimsy and were knocked out of the League Cup in midweek. Graham Potter is under serious pressure. Potter needs to wave his magic wand!
I'm really worried about West Ham. I think the West Ham fans have had enough already and we're not even in September yet. After their cup loss Jarrod Bowen tried to confront some Hammers fans - that wasn't super, smashing or great from Bowen. He later apologised.
Gossip: Hammers join European teams in race for Vieirapublished at 07:33
07:33
West Ham have entered the race to sign Fabio Vieira from Arsenal, but Stuttgart and another top Bundesliga club are also interested in the 25-year-old Portuguese midfielder. (Sky Sports Germany), external
Nottingham Forest v West Ham: key stats and talking points published at 12:07 30 August
12:07 30 August
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
Beleaguered West Ham United boss Graham Potter continues his search for a first win of the season as his side travel to face Nuno Espirito Santo's Nottingham Forest. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes as doubts surround the futures of both managers.
West Ham's woes continue
The start of West Ham United's season is unravelling quickly due to failings that have persisted from the past Premier League campaign.
Graham Potter is nearly eight months into his tenure in east London but he continues to struggle to instil his preferred possession-based style of football. The Hammers would be bottom of a Premier League table featuring only the ever-present clubs since Potter's first league game in charge on 14 January.
The former Brighton and Chelsea boss called for unity after Tuesday's messy League Cup defeat in the West Midlands to a Wolves side who had failed to score in two opening defeats in the Premier League.
Although that loss took place in a different competition, throwing away a one-goal lead in the last eight minutes is another familiar theme... West Ham have dropped an unrivalled 15 points from winning positions under Potter.
Image caption,
West Ham United have dropped more points than any other team under Graham Potter
Two wins since March
Since the start of March, the Hammers have won just two of 13 Premier League matches (D4, L7).
They have faced the most shots on target in the top-flight this season (12), while only Tottenham and Brighton have conceded more goals since Potter joined.
Two defeats whilst conceding eight goals in 2025-26 constitutes West Ham's worst start to a league season since 1954.
Next they face Nottingham Forest - and they haven't scored a Premier League goal at the City Ground since 1996.
If the Hammers are to find a way to prosper under Potter they must surely see out the summer transfer window without losing Lucas Paqueta.
His influential role from last season has continued into this campaign and the 55-cap Brazil international leads the team rankings for tackles (six), possession won (10), successful passes in the final third (43), while he also ranks second for dribbles (seven).
Will Nuno see out August?
Forest are attempting to win their opening two home matches for the first time in a top-flight campaign since the mid-1980s, although the future of head coach Nuno Espirito Santo remains unclear.
The 51-year-old refused to guarantee he would remain at Forest beyond the transfer window after a falling out with owner Evangelos Marinakis over new signings.
The club has spent £140m on eight arrivals, including a combined £72m on wingers Dan Ndoye and Omari Hutchinson – although Nuno has expressed his desire for a new goalkeeper and full-backs, while Anthony Elanga has departed to Newcastle.
The net result is a meeting of two clubs whose managers face uncertain futures. A win for either may not completely assuage the nature of any lingering doubts.
The Football Interview - Bowenpublished at 11:05 30 August
11:05 30 August
Media caption,
Bowen spent summer training at dad's potato field 'boot camp'
West Ham and England forward Jarrod Bowen in conversation with Kelly Somers.
Bowen talks about his upbringing, the impact of his family, his career so far and starting a family with Dani Dyer. From starting in non-league with Hereford United and an early Hull City move to winning the Europa Conference League with West Ham and representing England.
Asked for one more achievement he could secure in the game, he said: "I've got one I'd love to do here when I'm at the club. I'd love to win the FA Cup.
"I think growing up watching football, it is the most prestigious English cup competition. You see Crystal Palace win it last year and what it meant to them. Obviously, I'd love to win the league, playing in the Champions League, but I think something that I'd love to do this season... I think I'd love to win the FA Cup as a club."
Potter on 'character' Fernandes, more transfer activity and Forestpublished at 14:24 29 August
14:24 29 August
Melissa Edwards BBC Sport journalist
West Ham boss Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game at Nottingham Forest (kick-off 14:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
No fresh injury concerns or personnel changes from the squad that lost to Wolves on Tuesday.
New signing Mateus Fernandes brings "a quality, a character, a desire and a personality", and Potter is excited for the midfielder to "take the next step" with the club.
The Hammers boss is also confident the club don't need reassurances after a poor start to the season and believes his side are one performance and result away from getting "things on a good path".
When asked about any more movement in the transfer market before it closes on Monday, Potter said: "We'll always look until the end of the window. You never know what's going to happen. It'll be one of those windows that's going to have a lot of activity late."
He continued: "We need to make sure we're aware and aligned to make the right calls. You've always got to look to improve and at the same time improve the players that we have."
On facing Forest, he said: "They're a strong side, so we need to be organised. Their transition is really dangerous, so we have to understand that. They were almost ridiculed in the first season for spending a lot of money and buying a lot of players, but they've showed they're competent and know what they're doing. It shows the gap between the Championship and the Premier League, and what you need to do is invest."
Potter added: "They've stabilised and Nuno's come in and done an amazing job. A well-organised team who know what they're doing in defence and attack. Another tough game, but one we're looking forward to."
'Young and explosive' and 'will give us a bit more hope' - fans on Fernandespublished at 12:46 29 August
12:46 29 August
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on new midfield signing Mateus Fernandes from Southampton.
Here are some of your comments:
Finnley: He is a top signing. We need pace and athleticism in our midfield and he will certainly improve our team with his flair.
Ronnie: Great signing, albeit a bit more on the expensive side. We've needed a young and explosive player in the midfield for years. I don't think it will be a turnaround overnight, but he's what we need - will give us a bit more hope for the rest of the season.
Jerry: Hopefully one of many youngsters arriving. If Graham Potter can fit them in with the ex-academy players, like Freddie Potts, we will at least have some legs in midfield. A massive rebuild needed to get us out of this mess!
Pat: Phew, just what we need and he has the international break to settle in. COYI.
David: Seems to be a good, progressive signing. How quickly he can fit in and if he is up to Premier League status yet are two open questions.
Marie: Really happy with the signing. Young and pacey - exactly what we need. Hopefully we will see Soungoutou Magassa sign too and midfield is looking good.
Dave: I would like to wish him well at the club and hope he becomes a successful player. However, this is typical of Sullivan and Brady to leave it to the last minute. Why do they put the team and supporters through the same old issue year after year? Don't shop early but wait until things start to fall apart and the manager takes the flack before moving in the transfer market. If I was Potter I would have resigned and blamed the two that need to leave our club.
'It's a big club' - Fernandes joins West Hampublished at 10:08 29 August
10:08 29 August
Image source, Getty Images
New West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes says it is a "big step" for him after completing a move from Southampton.
The 21-year-old has joined on a five-year deal for a fee in excess of £40m, making him the Hammers' third-biggest signing, behind Sebastien Haller (£45m) and Lucas Paqueta (£51m).
Fernandes signed for Southampton last summer for £15m from Sporting and made 46 appearances for the Saints, scoring four goals and providing seven assists.
"I'm very happy to be here. I'm very excited to play for West Ham," he told club media. "I think it's a big step for me.
"It's a big club, a massive club. The project, the stadium, the city, everything.
"I want to try to play football, enjoy football, not just run and try to score, but try to play good football.
"I think the most important thing is to try to give everything every day."
Fernandes is a Portugal Under-21 international and comes with Premier league experience, having been one of the standout players in Southampton's relegated side last campaign.
West Ham boss Graham Potter added: "Mateus is a young player who has made impressive progress in the early part of his career, and we are delighted to have secured his signing.
"He gained valuable experience in the Premier League last year with Southampton and is someone we really feel can help improve us and fit into what we are trying to build and develop at the club.
"We believe that his attributes and strengths will bring a different dimension to the squad and, from speaking to him, I know that he can't wait to get started here.
"He has shown great maturity and character for someone so young, and we look forward to seeing his continued progress and impact at West Ham United."
What do you make of the signing? Is this what the Hammers needed? How big of an impact can the midfielder have?
Gossip: West Ham on verge of signing Colaupublished at 07:29 29 August
07:29 29 August
Paris FC's 19-year-old French defender Dimitri Colau will undergo a medical at West Ham on Saturday before signing a four-year contract with the Hammers. (Footmercato), external
Gossip: West Ham to keep Soucek despite Everton interestpublished at 08:18 28 August
08:18 28 August
West Ham are looking to sign Brazilian goalkeeper John Victor, 29, from Botafogo but the Brazilian club want to agree a fee much higher than £6m if the move becomes permanent in the future. (Sky Sports), external
Sunderland hope to convince West Ham centre-back Nayef Aguerd, 29, to join them but Marseille, AC Milan and AS Roma are all interested in the Morocco international. (Footmercato - in French), external
Genoa are considering a late move to sign Maxwel Cornet from West Ham after the Ivory Coast international impressed manager Patrick Vieira on loan during the second half of 2024-25 season. (Tuttomercatoweb - in Italian), external
Image source, Getty Images
