West Ham United

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on Monday.

@win_n10 on X: From the outside looking in, West Ham are in terrible form and out of both domestic cups but are still in top 10 in the Premier League and in the Europa League last 16. Is it glass half-full or half-empty and what does that mean for David Moyes’ future?

Phil: Great question. Lots of people from the outside will look at West Ham United and wonder what is going on and why there seems to be a groundswell of toxicity towards Moyes.

After all, he did win the Europa Conference League last season but there can be no doubt recent results and performances have been dreadful and it is clear many fans are unhappy.

Whether you think this is harsh or not, and I happen to think Moyes has done a very good job at West Ham United, this does feel like a rather loveless, joyless relationship coming towards a close.

I don’t see Moyes being West Ham manager next season. I just think it is a question of when and how he goes – but he should be remembered with respect as a manager who brought a trophy to the club and put them in the upper reaches of the Premier League.

There's more of McNulty's Q&A here

Social media may be awash with talk about David Moyes' future at West Ham, but the club are doing their best to dampen down speculation.

The business-as-usual messages came out of the London Stadium in the wake of Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest, which was West Ham's third Premier League defeat in a row. They have now gone eight matches without a win in all competitions.

Moyes' detractors talk about style of football. His backers point to overall results.

On Friday, West Ham will discover their Europa League last-16 opponents. It is the first time they have ever qualified for European football three seasons in succession.

They are also ninth in the Premier League. Prior to Moyes' arrival for his second stint as manager in December 2019, West Ham had recorded two top-flight finishes higher than ninth in 20 years.

Tom Gayle
Match of the Day Commentator at The City Ground

Nottingham Forest’s win felt very David Moyes-esque. Tight game, few clear cut chances, and getting over the line when the result could have gone either way. It’s the type of victory the West Ham manager has built a long and successful career on. The glaring issue was, the Scot was on the receiving end of such a performance.

I’m confident even if the Hammers would have won, there would have been some keen to voice the opinion that Moyes’ time is up. As I put to him in the post-match interview it’s hard for any manager to please the entire fan base, especially amid a poor run of form.

Three straight defeats, 11 goals conceded, and none scored. It seems a quite freakish sequence of results for the Premier Leagues third most experienced manager. History proves my suspicions to be right. Only once before has a David Moyes side conceded more goals in three consecutive English top flight league games. The summer of 2005, Everton shipped 12 goals across the final two games of one campaign, followed up by an opening day defeat in the new season.

West Ham, like many other clubs, are known for a great away following. Their fans comfortably filled the two thirds of the lower tier Bridgford Stand they were allocated. The majority of those who made the trip to the City Ground, to my eyes and ears, were fully behind the team and manager. There were no boos at full-time, and even a wry sense of humour shown by the muted chant of ‘How (four letter expletive) must you be, it was only 2-0’.

There was though a clearly visible ‘Moyes out’ banner, which was accompanied in close proximity, by a short line of people holding aloft a series of A4 laminated placards portraying the same sentiment, which unlike the banner, I had to use my binoculars to read.

This poor run can’t continue for West Ham, and personally I don’t feel it will. One man who remains unfazed is Moyes, and I fully respect how his steely response to my question about the banner continued when speaking to written media. “Maybe they [the fans] want a change," he said. "Maybe they’ve had managers who excite them more. But the one who is sitting here wins more.”

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League matches.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

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Burnley v Arsenal

Man City v Chelsea

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham are the European Conference League holders and one point adrift of a European spot in the Premier League, but the pressure has never been more intense for David Moyes.

A humiliating 6-0 defeat at home to Arsenal last Sunday had fans and pundits questioning how Moyes would survive.

Travelling to the City Ground, West Ham would have seen an opportunity to put that humbling loss behind them but it was a terribly tame attempt at beating Nottingham Forest.

The hosts, who had lost six of their last seven matches on home soil, created chances from the off as the Hammers failed to produce an effort that had Matz Sels scrambling.

When Callum Hudson-Odoi’s goal hit the back of the net in stoppage time, a ‘Moyes Out’ banner was erected in the away end as the travelling fans made their feelings known.

West Ham have lost their last three games and have failed to score in each of them. With Brentford at the London Stadium up next, three points and a much-improved performance are almost vital.

David Moyes speaking to BBC Match of the Day after West Ham's loss to Nottingham Forest: "I thought the players responded incredibly well, they showed character, a lot of courage at different times of the game. It was a tight Premier League game. We played well going through the thirds and it was in the final third where we struggled and made poor decisions in poor opportunities to score goals. The players did a great job."

On Kalvin Phillips' red card, Moyes added: "They've told me it's a bit tight, the two boots come together. Might be a wee bit of overreaction ont he second yellow. If you push someone then you can be booked. The rules are you're not supposed to stand in the way of the ball and we were trying to play quickly. In truth, I can't say too much because it was two yellows and we can't argue with that.

"I thought he played much better, his whole performance was much better. Suddenly the bookings came from nowhere in a short period. The team had done some good things as well and he was part of it."

On failing to score in the last three games: "We're missing a really important player in Lucas Paqueta but we don't want to hang it all on him. We've not looked as potent in recent weeks as we otherwise have done. We had to change things up to get through January but the last three games have been disappointed that we've not scored more goals."

On the 'Moyes out' banners in the away end: "I'm really disappointed that we didn't win today and I'm really disappointed with a couple of results. But you mustn't forget the good results, you mustn't forget the wins even this season. We're sitting in a strong position, last season we were sitting near the bottom. It was only three years ago that we were Nottingham Forest and fighting relegation. We've moved on a long way from there."

Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to BBC Match of the Day after Nottingham Forest's victory over West Ham: "It feels good after a performance like we did. We played really good football, were dominant, were in control, kept a clean sheet which is so important for us. I think we were the better team today so it pleases me more."

On the defensive performance, Nuno added: "They were very aggressive, the distances on top of West Ham players didn't allow them to decide. This is what we are trying to give them, the confidence to release and play their football because they have talent."

On Taiwo Awoniyi: "Strikers are about scoring but for us it's more than that. They have to work, they have to read the game and when the moment comes put it inside the net. We know he's struggling in terms of fitness, it's up to us to manage him."

On the Neco Williams penalty appeal: "It's obvious, I saw the image which is why I'm so confident I'm saying this. I don't understand why VAR didn't give it. They have to speak to each other and understand why."

On how Forest are progressing: "I think we have to go step by step, there's a lot of detail we have to improve. We were able to improve in certain parts of the game but still a long way to go. We are trying every day, the commitment is very important, but we expect even more from them."

• West Ham have lost their past three games in the Premier League, all without scoring a single goal. It is the first time that the Hammers have lost three consecutive league games without scoring since August 2022, with that run also featuring a defeat at Nottingham Forest.

• Nottingham Forest have kept a clean sheet in the Premier League for the first time in 14 games. Meanwhile, this was Forest’s third victory over West Ham in the Premier League, with the Tricky Trees recording a shutout in each of those victories.

• West Ham are winless across their six Premier League games in 2024 (D3 L3), with the Hammers failing to win any of their opening six league games of a calendar year for the first time since 20047 (first eight).

• Nicolas Dominguez has been directly involved in a goal in each of his past two Premier League appearances (2 assists), as many goal involvements as he managed in his first 14 games.

• Kalvin Phillips received his first ever red card in the Premier League. However, it is his fifth dismissal across his English league career and second at the City Ground, after also being sent off for Leeds against Nottingham Forest in January 2019 in the Championship.

Nottingham Forest climbed five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone and added to the pressure on West Ham United manager David Moyes with a deserved victory at the City Ground.

Taiwo Awoniyi gave the home side the lead just before half-time and Callum Hudson-Odoi made sure of the win in added time when he scored for the third consecutive game.

On-loan midfielder Kalvin Phillips was shown two yellow cards in three minutes as he had another game to forget for West Ham.

Forest move up to 15th while Moyes' side's failure to bounce back from the 6-0 thrashing against Arsenal last Sunday means they stay eighth.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from home?

Forest fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Hammers fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

There are seven games being played in the Premier League on Saturday and we will bring you every moment.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

All times are GMT

BBC pundit Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on rapper Songer, who is a Chelsea fan.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

It is fair to say that both of these teams need a victory. Neither side has managed one in the Premier League in 2024, and this is a hard one to call.

The usual way of thinking with West Ham would be to ask if they are going to bounce back from their 6-0 home defeat by Arsenal. I am going to say they won't.

We know David Moyes' teams have been resilient in the past but I cannot back anyone who has been beaten that heavily the previous week - it is not just a case of clicking your fingers and turning it around.

The Hammers surely cannot be as lax as they were against Arsenal, but I am going with Nottingham Forest to find a way through.

Songer's prediction: 0-0

This is definitely not one for the neutral! The West Ham fans were furious when I watched them the other day and you could feel it, so I am not sure if the players are going to have much motivation.

Read all of Sutton's predictions for this weekend's games

David Moyes has been speaking to the media before his side take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Here are the key lines from the West Ham manager:

• On last week's 6-0 defeat against Arsenal, he said: "We didn't play well, and we didn't perform close to the level. We were punished by a really good team. We're all in it together, we're going to act as though it's a blip and try to bounce back tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing the response of the players, and what I've seen in training has been good."

• Moyes feels his players have a "duty" to deliver in the wake of the humbling defeat, adding: "It always shows you a little bit about your club and I think in the main the players here have been very, very good. When you've lost like we did, I think you've got a duty (to respond). The manager can take responsibility for that, which he always will do, but ultimately you (the players) are the one that gets a shirt on and crosses the white line, so you're the one that has to show it for the club and the team."

• Lucas Paqueta will not feature due to injury but he has been training this week.

• Michail Antonio is available again, and doubts over Kurt Zouma and Edson Alvarez have eased, so they can feature.

• The Hammers have not won in their last five league games and Moyes said injuries have featured during this testing patch, stating: “We’ve missed Lucas loads. There was a period before the African Cup of Nations started where we were playing really well, but you have to remember we lost Mohammed Kudus for games around that period, as well as Nayef Aguerd. We’d also lost Jarrod Bowen due to injury after the last international break, and had Antonio out too."

• On offering something back to the fans in terms of reassurance after last weekend's defeat, Moyes said: "I don't know if we need to reassure anybody. I think over the last three years we have reassured everybody we are competitive."

• Moyes spoke of the atmosphere generated at the City Ground and added: "We know we're going to be fully at it tomorrow, but we're looking forward to it."

• Expanding on his approach to the game, Moyes said: "I think you set up your team to get a result, regardless of the opposition. We want to keep up the good results we've had, and if we can pick up another five or so wins this season it will get us in a good position."

Follow Friday's news conferences

The key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Nottingham Forest and West Ham in the Premier League.

• Nottingham Forest have lost nine of their past 13 Premier League matches (W2 D2), including three of their four in 2024 so far (D1). Since the start of November, no side has lost more games in the competition than Forest (9, level with Brentford and Burnley).

• West Ham have lost both of their past two league games, conceding nine goals in the process, as many as they had in their previous eight in the Premier League beforehand. The Hammers have also failed to score in those two defeats; not since August 2022 have they lost three league games in a row without scoring, a run that included a 1-0 defeat away to Nottingham Forest.

• Nottingham Forest have conceded in each of their past 13 Premier League matches (29 conceded) since a 2-0 win over Aston Villa in November. Indeed, they have kept the fewest clean sheets of any ever-present side over the past two seasons (11 in 62 games).

• David Moyes has won a Premier League match at 37 different stadiums, although his one game at the City Ground ended in a 1-0 defeat. The only managers with a win at more different stadiums in the competition are Arsène Wenger (48), Alex Ferguson (47), Harry Redknapp (39) and José Mourinho (38).

• Anthony Elanga has been directly involved in 11 goals in 23 Premier League appearances for Nottingham Forest (5 goals, 6 assists) – no player has ever been involved in more goals aged 21 or younger for Forest in the Premier League (Brennan Johnson, also 11).

Arsenal and Chelsea are keen on 23-year-old West Ham United and Ghana attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

As unrest grows among West Ham supporters over manager David Moyes' position, BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown said he would be "amazed" if the situation turned around.

Brown said: "If I'm Moyes, I'd almost shake the club's hand and say 'thank you very much, it's obvious whatever I do we're not going to please everyone, you haven't given me my contract so why don't you replace me and get someone else in?'"

So we asked you for your view on whether the Hammers boss had a future with the club.

At the time of writing, the results underline a divide in opinion and look like this:

Option 1: Needs to be gone today (25%)

Option 2: Another few games (6%)

Option 3: End of the season - max. (15%)

Option 4: I can't decide (7%)

Option 5: Give him the option (7%)

Option 6: At least another campaign (13%)

Option 7: Five more years! (26%)

Don't agree? You can continue to get involved and make your selection here

Image source, Getty Images

As speculation continues to mount over the future of under fire West Ham boss David Moyes, how much of a future do you think he has with the Hammers?

Our BBC Sport pundit Michael Brown has said below that he thinks Moyes should shake hands and walk away.

But what do you think? Make a selection here.

West Ham face a clear issue. David Moyes helped them reach sixth in the table and it wasn't enough because of the style of play.

There's a real negativity around them now. Is Moyes staying or is he going? It looks like he could go because a contract hasn't been given to him.

I was at the game against Arsenal and it was an awful performance. Yes, Arsenal take the credit, but the six goals were very worrying and the 15-minute period just before half-time was damning.

Moyes hasn't been dealt a good hand in regards support but I think he's done an unbelievable job and he's come out and said 'let's not forget that'. He was very irate after the game against Arsenal and you could see why. But again, the players have to take responsibility - that wasn't a good enough performance.

At times they have conceded too many, which is not like a Moyes side, but they were sitting sixth and it wasn't good enough. Now they're sat in eighth, level on points for the European positions, but there is this huge negativity around the place.

If I'm Moyes, I'd almost shake the club's hand and say 'thank you very much, it's obvious whatever I do we're not going to please everyone, you haven't given me my contract so why don't you replace me and get someone else in?'

I know it's a tough job and I know he's not a quitter, it's not quitting, but you've got to be realistic.

If you're saying you get them sixth, you give them a European title, he's won that trophy and he's still not getting a new contract, I think that's just a mixed message. The supporters start gathering even more pace when it could have been put to bed much earlier. He just needs to wish them well and say 'let's move on to the next one'.

He's a wonderful manager with great experience, but you'd be amazed if this situation turns around.

The fans are paying the money so let's put someone else in who can give them a better style and let's see how it goes. It's over to the club now to make that decision.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter is a candidate to replace David Moyes if he leaves West Ham at the end of the season. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

West Ham and Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta, 26, is being tracked by Manchester City. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Image source, Reuters

West Ham striker Michail Antonio spoke about Sunday's 6-0 defeat by Arsenal on the latest Footballer's Football Podcast: "When the fourth goal went in, you saw floods on fans walking out.

"Honestly, you can't blame them. You do want your fans to stick around and see how well you can get back into the game, but you can't blame them in that situation when you're 4-0 down in the first half.

"When we played Spurs away a few years back, we were 3-0 down in the 75th minute and we brought it back to 3-3. It was one of the best games, unbelievable.

"You want them to support the team until the end, but the way the goals went in as well, it was an ugly sight. You sometimes have to hold your hands up as a player and say you'll do better next week for the fans.

"It was definitely a freak result, under the gaffer we are [usually] quite solid. The boys were a bit off it at the weekend, and we just have to turn it around."

Listen to the full episode here