West Ham United

Tim Oscroft
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen led by example again with a goal and an assist as the Hammers despatched relegated Ipswich Town with a 3-1 win on the last day of what has been a disappointing season for the Londoners.

Bowen rattled in his 13th goal of the league campaign, scoring for the fourth game in a row and set up James Ward-Prowse for the opner just before half-time.

But with Aaron Cresswell, Łukasz Fabiański, Vladimír Coufal and Danny Ings all set to leave West Ham this summer, external, it seems that Graham Potter will go on a recruitment drive to provide some much-needed back up for Bowen.

Potter will look forward to having a full transfer window to putting his own stamp on the squad that he inherited from Julen Lopetuegi in January.

West Ham languished worryingly close to the relegation zone at times this season and after finishing in 14th place, Hammers fans will demand much better next term.

Image source, Getty Images

In his 18 Premier League games in charge of West Ham this season, Graham Potter has seen his side average 1.11 points per game with a 28% win rate - lower than previous Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui (1.15 points per game, 30% win rate in 2024-25).

Overall, Potter's points-per-game figure is better only than Avram Grant's Premier League record with the club among permanent bosses (0.89 points per game).

So the curtain has come down on West Ham's season with a win at Ipswich.

With inconsistency and a managerial change, it may not have been the campaign Hammers' fans had hoped for at the beginning, but attention can now turn to next season under the leadership of Graham Potter.

So how are you feeling after the game and at the end of a long campaign?

Have your say on West Ham's performance and season

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Ipswich's Premier League exit, for now, is marked by two changes from the side that lost 2-0 to Leicester. Conor Chaplin and Nathan Broadhead come in, Jack Clarke and Julio Enciso are out, while Liam Delap is on the bench.

Ipswich Town starting XI: Palmer, Tuanzebe, Greaves, O'Shea, Davis, Morsy, Cajuste, Chaplin, Hutchinson, Broadhead, Hirst.

Subs: Walton, Woolfenden, Taylor, Burgess, Delap, Szmodics, Luongo, Clarke, Boniface.

West Ham starting XI: Fabianski; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Mavropanos, Kilman, Scarles; Alvarez, Soucek, Ward-Prowse; Bowen Fullkrug.

Subs: Areola, Cresswell, Coufal, Paqueta, Kudus, Guilherme, Ings, Rodriguez, Irving.

West Ham make five changes from the side that started the defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Lucasz Fabianski is back in goal for his last game for the club, while Konstantinos Mavranpanos, Ollie Scarles, Edson Alvarez and Niclas Fulkrug come in, with Aaron Cresswell, Guido Rodriguez, Vladimir Coufal and Mohammed Kudus dropping out.

Cresswell, Coufal and Danny Ings could make their last appearances for the Hammers if they are called off the bench, with Coufal never having scored in the Premier League.

All 20 teams are in action on the final day of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Bournemouth v Leicester City

• Fulham v Man City

• Ipswich v West Ham

• Liverpool v Crystal Palace - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Man Utd v Aston Villa

• Newcastle v Everton

• Nottingham Forest v Chelsea - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Southampton v Arsenal

• Tottenham v Brighton

• Wolves v Brentford - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

All kick-off times 16:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Fair play to any fans, home or away, who are going to this game.

Ipswich have won only once at home all season, while West Ham have been woeful for weeks now and will be glad to see the back of this campaign too.

The Ipswich fans have still always backed their team despite their poor form at Portman Road so it would be nice for them to end on some kind of a high note after their relegation, but I just don't see it happening.

West Ham supporters have not had much to smile about either, but Jarrod Bowen has been one of the few bright spots for the Hammers recently. He is a quality player, and he might make the difference here too.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

With the 2024-25 Premier League season coming to a close, we would love to hear what you think of this club page.

A huge thank you to those who have already submitted their responses and have interacted with the page in any capacity throughout the campaign.

We are continuously working to improve your experience and bring you the best possible content and coverage of your team.

It is your club and your voice.

So what do you like?

And what could be improved?

Send thoughts here

We asked you to pick your player of the season after our West Ham fan contributor narrowed it down to Jarrod Bowem, Tomas Soucek, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Max Kilman.

Here are some of your comments on your selection:

Mart: Wan-Bissaka for me. To consistently perform in a team that's misfiring and a defence that is fourth worst, speaks volumes for his ability and mental strength. He has moved from one of the biggest teams in the world to one in need of a complete remodelling, but he is still giving everything possible to help his team-mates.

Glen: How Kilman makes the shortlist is beyond me. Wan-Bissaka and Bowen have been so far ahead of everyone else it is a joke. Soucek has got crucial goals but the rest you can forget about over the season.

James: Bowen because he stepped up in the absence of Michail Antonio and played very well. It is a tough choice given Wan-Bissaka and Soucek have done well, but Bowen just about edges it.

John: Soucek. The new Mr West Ham

Phil: Wan-Bissaka has had an excellent first season and he seems to have been untroubled by the backroom politics and changes. He has consistently played a positive role, looking to get forward, while also giving decent defensive cover. He has stepped up when others have gone missing and has been an upgrade on an ageing (but still lovable!) Vladimir Coufal.

Don't forget to make your selection

Image source, Getty Images

Ipswich have conceded in each of their past 18 Premier League games, with their last shutout coming in a 2-0 win over Chelsea in December.

Not since a spell between January and May 2019 have Town had a longer run without a league clean sheet (19).

West Ham's Jarrod Bowen – who could make his 200th Premier League appearance in this match – has either scored (four) or assisted (two) a goal in all five of his league games against Ipswich Town.

He got a goal and an assist in the Hammers' 4-1 victory in the reverse fixture this season.

West Ham fan Holly Turbutt believes Hammers boss Graham Potter can turn things around if backed in summer.

While admitting Potter is under pressure, she said: "It's always an option to change head coach and expect improvements, but we've seen our challenges lie deeper than this.

"While we are playing more organised football, results show we have a long way to go.

"Personally, I have faith Potter can turn things around if he is given the resources to rebuild in summer and given the trust to do this.

"We can see progress in the number of goals we concede each game - it just doesn't look so glamorous yet."

Find more from Holly Turbutt at West Ham Network, external

West Ham boss Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Ipswich Town (kick-off 16:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen being excluded from the England squad: "Well, it is not my thing to pick that squad. I have full respect for the England manager. [I'm] disappointed for Jarrod, but we will support him, and he'll carry on doing what he's doing for us. He will be naturally disappointed of course - every player wants to play for their country. He has trained well for us and he will be looking forward to the game [on Sunday]."

• Potter said it is "very important" to finish above Manchester United and Tottenham at the end of the season: "In the end, we want to finish as high as we can - a win would help us move up a place possibly."

• On what he has learned from his time in charge at London Stadum: "You are always learning about yourself all the time. How you can improve and what you want to do with the rest of your life. As the numbers [in your age] get bigger, you start to think about that. [About] how important your family is, how important being in a job that you are passionate about, that you believe in, that you work with good people and that you understand that the road to anything meaningful is a struggle."

• He thinks that journey is worthwhile: "It means there is ups and downs, there are periods where you have to suffer, you have to dig in and then the moments when it goes well is when it is all worth it."

• On what he wants to see from his team against Ipswich: "As always, building on the things that we have been doing well. We need to be competitive, and we need to be solid. Ipswich will want to finish in a good way. We always respect the opponent and the competition. We want to play with a purpose, a positivity and try to win the match. It's about being consistent with what we're trying to do. Attacking the game as best we can and going for the win."

• Potter rejected any suggestions of wholesale changes: "Mixing things up with one game to go doesn't make sense."

• He also confirmed West Ham didn't have any new injury doubts.

• On the preparation for the final game of the season: "We have been disappointed after the game [losing 2-1 last week to Nottingham Forest] because the result was not what we wanted. You have to deal with that. We make sure to give the players time to clear their heads."

• Potter believes Ipswich's centre forward Liam Delap is "a bit of the old school", adding Delap has a "good background" and is "benefiting from Kieran's [McKenna] help."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Hammers fan Holly Turbutt believes West Ham require a major rebuild in summer after a disappointing season.

She says that, after expecting a top-10 finish, the way the season has panned out is ample proof changes must be made in the summer.

"There's no denying that West Ham need a major rebuild this summer," she said.

"We've known for a while that our ageing squad needs rejuvenating, but this season has made it more evident than ever before.

Find more from Holly Turbutt at West Ham Network, external

James Jones
Fan writer

We asked our West Ham fan contributor for their four candidates for player of the season and you can now select your top one.

Jarrod Bowen

Has found it tough at times in his first season as club captain, but has still delivered double figures for goals for a fourth consecutive season and is only one goal contribution away this term from making it 20 or more in all competitions for a fourth straight campaign. The man is priceless.

Tomas Soucek

Many expected him to be one of the first casualties of David Moyes' departure last summer. Instead, he has doubled down on his importance to this football club with another nine goals from midfield, most of which have been so important. Criminally underappreciated.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Found it difficult under Julen Lopetegui because he was asked to play so high up the pitch, almost like an inverted right wing-back. But under Graham Potter he has flourished and has arguably been our best defender since the turn of the year. A snip at £15m.

Max Kilman

Has come under a lot of stick because of the amount goals we have conceded this season but - his mistake against Tottenham aside - he has barely put a foot wrong. Was arguably a victim of poor tactics earlier on in the season but, in reality, worth every penny of the £40m paid.

Pick your 2024-25 West Ham player of the season from our shortlist here

And tell us why you're picking who you are, or why you'd have gone for another player not on the list, here

Find more from James Jones at We Are West Ham, external

James Jones
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Another week down and another week closer to a much-needed break for West Ham fans.

This season has been a cocktail of disappointment, anger, frustration and disbelief. It is fair to say every West Ham supporter on the planet will be overjoyed when the final whistle blows at Portman Road on Sunday.

Having parted ways with David Moyes last summer, there was an element of excitement and anticipation for what the future might hold, especially after new boss Julen Lopetegui wasted no time in splashing almost £150m on new players.

The Spaniard flopped, though, and despite impressive away wins at Crystal Palace and Newcastle, failed to convince anyone he was the man to lead the club into a new era.

Graham Potter has also struggled to convince many fans at this stage, but it is still very difficult to make a fair judgment on him, given he is working with a squad of players who were on the decline under Moyes and struggled for any kind of form under Lopetegui.

It will take at least one transfer window, if not more, for Potter to really put his own stamp on this team.

That is why I am trying so hard to remain positive about what next season might bring. I know many are pessimistic and many have already written Potter off, but I am reserving my judgement until we are able to see a squad of players built by Potter playing in Potter's preferred system.

Until then, I am just looking forward to the final whistle this weekend. Because I need a break from this team after this season.

We go again next season.

Find more from James Jones at We Are West Ham, external

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League match between West Ham and Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Mark: Sack the board, manager and all the players - woeful display.

Steve: Same old West Ham, a season to forget. Too slow and negative in the build-up and really not got going after Forest scored their second goal. So much money spent on average players, aside from Wan-Bissaka, although there are a couple of hopeful names like Guilherme and Summerville who look promising.

Peter: Thank goodness the season is over and we can put it behind us, get a complete makeover and claw our way back to where we belong.

Forest fans

Callum: Nottingham Forest played well - we really needed that win! Here's hoping we can get a win next week against Chelsea at home, I look forward to being there at the world famous City Ground cheering them on! YOUUUUU REEEEDS!

Ben: It is a simple formula for Forest: score first, and you win. And so it proved. A dogged performance from them (despite a late wobble) gives us the final day showdown we were all hoping for. Now if one of the other contenders could play their part and lose then we can all finish the season happy!

John: Phew! When the second goal was finally confirmed that should have been it. But substitutions, indiscipline, VAR and a brilliant volley from Bowen made for a very nervy extra time but, Forest held on to do the double over a questionable West Ham. Too busy bringing their kids on beforehand after beating Manchester United to really get anywhere in this game.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's five Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

Saturday 17th May

FA Cup final: Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City - 5 LIVE

Sunday 18th May

West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest - 5 LIVE

Brentford 2-3 Fulham – SPORTS EXTRA 2

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle - 5 LIVE

Image source, Getty Images

Graham Potter spoke to BBC Match of The Day after West Ham's defeat against Nottingham Forest: "We started the game well. Had a good chance with Tomas [Soucek] and Vlad [Coufal] we're competing against a good team competing for the Champions League. It was an even game, we concede the early goal from a mistake which is disappointing then we made changes and they scored straight after. Marginal offside that took a while to sort out. Credit to the players they kept pushing, they gave everything we just came up a bit short.

"Forest going for what they are and we wanted three points and it was a bit stop start. The goal makes it difficult for the referee and it was stop-start.

"They scored after the subs but then we pushed and pushed, scored a good goal and had other opportunities but fell short."

"It is [frustrating day] when you want to finish with a win at the last home game of the season with some players making their last appearance you want to go out in a positive. We have to lick our wounds and go again next week.

"We focus on Ipswich first because we have another week and we ant to finish with three points. We use the summer to try to improve it's as simple as that."

Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist at London Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

In the 58th minute of this near two-hour epic, Graham Potter made a quadruple change and it worked - West Ham became much more flowing and dangerous.

Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus flanked Niclas Fullkrug to great effect, and the change of shape from 5-3-2 to 3-4-3 caused Forest serious problems.

Which raises the question as to why Graham Potter left all those attackers on the bench, naming nine defensive-minded players in the starting XI.

It meant West Ham struggled to respond to going behind early on. And soon after the change was made, Forest scored their second goal which proved decisive.

There is no question that West Ham need to rebuild in the summer, and Potter can only be judged at London Stadium once he has a full pre-season.

But he could help his cause, and win over a few Hammers fans already tired of their poor form, by taking off the handbrake and letting the attackers free.