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."
Analysis: West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forestpublished at 16:54 18 May
16:54 18 May
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.
Sutton's predictions: West Ham v Nottingham Forestpublished at 16:56 17 May
16:56 17 May
This is a huge game for my boyhood side, Nottingham Forest.
They need to win to keep their hopes of a top-five finish alive, but my fear is they have already blown it.
I played at the City Ground many times but I think my stint there as a Sky pundit for last weekend's draw with Leicester was the first time I've watched a game there rather than been on the pitch, and it was not enjoyable viewing for us fans.
I thought that game was a must-win for our Champions League hopes, and if they drop more points here they could drop out of contention completely.
I've heard some people say that Forest have bottled it, but I don't agree. They have just run out of steam.
Forest's aim now is to get to next weekend and still be in touch before they host Chelsea in their final game of the season, but whether that happens or not relies on which West Ham team turns up.
The Hammers were on a poor run before they went to Old Trafford last weekend and won. That would usually be an impressive result but it is not much of an achievement at the moment.
I know who I want to win but, for different reasons, it is hard to back either side here.
Potter looks forward with Soucek published at 17:09 16 May
17:09 16 May
Image source, PA Media
West Ham United head coach Graham Potter is confident that midfielder Tomas Soucek will still be a Hammer next season.
The 30-year-old is contracted with the club until June 2027 and Potter is more than happy to continue the West Ham project with him, despite Soucek being linked with moves to the likes of Everton and Leeds.
"He's been a fantastic signing for the club, first and foremost, to deliver what he has delivered over a period of time," he said.
"He's a top professional, he has been a fantastic servant to the club, and I am looking forward to working with him in the short, medium and long-term future."
Potter tried to sign the Czech Republic international five years ago during his spell with Brighton and his opinion on the player hasn't changed in that time.
He added: "What did I see in him at Brighton? The same. The same that West Ham have seen in him, and what he has developed in fairness.
"He's a midfield player that can do both sides of the game. Affects the game. Scores. In the boxes, he's fantastic, defence and attack, set pieces.
"Add to that, a really, really good professional. He is a quiet man but leads by example in terms of how he conducts himself every day."
Potter on improving for fans, working with Soucek and facing Forest published at 14:11 16 May
14:11 16 May
West Ham boss Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest (kick-off 14:15 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news: "We are pretty much as we were last game. There are no injuries and everybody has been training well."
There is still lots to play for and West Ham want to "finish as high as we can. Potter is focusing on Nottingham Forest who are challenging for Champions League football, but wants to "finish the season with two wins."
The most important relationship a team has is that with its fans. For a while West Ham's performances "haven't been what we wanted", says Potter, so it is hard to get that connection. "We'll try to improve to the best of our ability on Sunday but it is a process of work."
When asked about Mohammed Kudus' improvement, Potter said "He has been working hard all season. Individuals can suffer when the team doesn't play well, but he has given his best and has been rewarded for his work."
On what it has been like to work with Tomas Soucek: "He has been a fantastic signing for the club, to deliver what he has delivered. He helps defensively; in the boxes; in set pieces and contributes to goals in mid-field. He goes about his work in a quiet way and has been fantastic to work with."
When asked about the possibility of finishing the season above Manchester United and Tottenham, Potter made clear that "the team name doesn't mean anything because clubs are well organised and use resources well. You can see what a competitive tournament the Premier League is."
Asked about opponents Nottingham Forest, his response was that they have had "a fantastic season and Nuno [Espirito Santo] and his team have done an excellent job to bring stability. They have a very clear plan on what they want to do from a football perspective and have made the step from the Championship to the Premier League really well. You can see why they have the points they have."
West Ham's Jarrod Bowen has been involved in six goals in his past six Premier League games (four goals, two assists), scoring in each of his past three at London Stadium. The Hammers player to score in four consecutive home league games most recently was Jesse Lingard in April 2021.
West Ham have not lost their final home league game in any of the past seven campaigns (W5 D2), since a 4- 0 loss against Liverpool in 2016-17.
They have won five of their six Premier League home games against Nottingham Forest, the exception being a 1-0 defeat in January 1997.
'It should never happen' - has offside rule been a 'time bomb'?published at 13:14 14 May
13:14 14 May
Image source, Getty Images
For the players and fans, Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi getting this injury in a situation where the offside flag should have been raised is so frustrating.
The frustration is when it is clear and obvious. Officials have been overseeing games for many years and they would always flag whether they were right or wrong.
Now technology has come into it, they are very reliant on VAR to make the right decision, the factual decision, about an offside. But, I think when an offside is so clear and obvious, it should be the duty of the assistant referee to put their flag up and stop play from the off.
When it is marginal, I understand we are a bit more hesitant when there are really fine margins, and we have seen those fine margins when goals have been given and it is a toenail to keep them on-side. I would understand it from that point of view, but it was on the halfway-line where the offside happened on Sunday, only for play to be allowed to continue.
It has been a matter of time. It has been a time bomb waiting to go off for somebody to get seriously injured. Awoniyi is the one that has got that injury - that horrific injury - because of it. Some will say it is only the first time it has happened in the duration of this rule, but it should never happen. That is how players will be looking at it, how fans and managers will be looking at it and saying 'it should never happen'. We should not wait for something to happen to reassess rules like this.
I don't like the ruling of it - it is on the halfway-line, it is clear and obviously offside, everybody in the stadium could probably see it. It should be for the assistant referee to make the decision. There are small margins in the box, I understand why they are a bit hesitant, but in open play, if somebody is sprinting, you could cause hamstring, quad, and all types of muscle injuries.
I am totally against this rule of waiting to put up the flag and I think most players and managers are as well. It's disappointing. I think it's a rule that nobody likes, and I'm sure in the summer off the back of this injury, one that will probably be reassessed.
Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson
'Feeling of general apathy' despite win at Old Traffordpublished at 12:17 13 May
12:17 13 May
Will Pugh Fan writer
Image source, PA Media
Before this season it was hard to imagine a world where West Ham fans would struggle to care about doing the double over Manchester United.
Of course it was great watching us win 2-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday, after our 2-1 victory in October at London Stadium. But given how woeful United's Premier League season has been and their upcoming Europa League final against Tottenham (come on you Reds, by the way!) their players could not have cared less, and it showed.
However, arguably the most important factor, and the most disheartening, in why there was a feeling of general apathy after the win is how abject 2024-25 has been for West Ham - proven by the fact the victory moved us to the heady heights of 15th!
It's a shame really and sadly I can't see next season or beyond being much better.
We also bid farewell to some club legends at the end of the season, with Aaron Cresswell, Vladimir Coufal and Lukasz Fabianski all leaving when their contracts expire.
Even in my 30s, I still feel emotional saying goodbye to players who have given so much to our club. All three were integral in our recent historic European runs while Cresswell is the only player, along with Michail Antonio, who was there for the iconic last season at Upton Park.
Although I can't help but feel Coufal's departure is a little premature, I wish them all the very best for the future and thank them from the bottom of my heart for everything they have done for West Ham.
Transfer Q&A: West Ham's summer planspublished at 11:29 13 May
11:29 13 May
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
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BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions on the transfer window.
Andy, Surrey: I'm a West Ham fan and we need a squad overhaul. I was wondering how you think we should strengthen the squad and which players we'll have to sell to bring players in?
Simon: I touched on this in my match report on Sunday. Clearly, the much-hyped recruitment campaign under Tim Steidten and Julen Lopetegui last summer went badly wrong. Aaron Wan-Bissaka did well and Max Kilman was OK but Crysencio Summerville, Guido Rodriguez, Luis Guilherme and Niclas Fullkrug failed to reach the heights expected on a consistent basis.
Evan Ferguson came in as an answer to striking issues in the winter window, but couldn't establish himself. Now, West Ham need to find a way of funding Graham Potter's squad-building plans because the Declan Rice money has gone, there is no European football and West Ham's league position is costing them Premier League prize money.
With Lucas Paqueta's future still uncertain, selling Mohammed Kudus is now a distinct possibility. The massive concern for me is around skipper Jarrod Bowen. West Ham could get a lot of money for him, but he feels like someone you build a squad around.
Head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay will be a key figure in identifying potential targets, having worked with Potter since his days in Sweden. I would think more dynamism in midfield will be a major aim, as well as a consistent goalscorer.
Man Utd 0-2 West Ham - the fans' verdictpublished at 07:30 12 May
07:30 12 May
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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Man Utd and West Ham.
Here are some of your comments:
Man Utd fans
Danyal: I completely understand that we won two European games with an aggregate score of six plus, and beat teams with aggression. But seriously, how can these players have such a drop from the Europa League? Regardless of being in the Europa League final, to play like that in the league is embarrassing - especially at home. If we win the Europa League, I could forget some part of the season we have had in the league. But for a club of United's stature, it is very poor. However, Ruben Amorim knows this and in his post-match interview he was clear. So there's still good signs!
Debbie: I would rather be 16th in the league and be in a final of a major competition than just fighting for pointless points in the league. We have nothing to play for and they were all worried about getting injured today. Roll on the end of the Premier League and let's win the Europa League!
Keith: This Manchester United side is so poor, but why do they seem to lack the intensity in Premier League games. They get out-fought and out-run. Pass completion is abysmal, as is their decision-making. Forgetting the obvious lack of quality in the squad, they are so weak mentally. How can you not get gee yourself up for a home game? I cannot wait for this season to be over, so the clear-out and rebuild can start properly.
West Ham fans
Tom: A good performance and hopefully will mean we can end this season on a bit of a high. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been the signing of the season in my eyes, another emphatic performance today - definitely my Hammer of the Year!
Richard: Excellent game of football, both teams playing some good stuff but West Ham were superior in both attack and defence. It was the best game West Ham have played this season!
William: A better performance, although, not much opposition. A bit late in the season, but it was nice to see some fight within the team. Time will tell if Graham Potter is right for the club.
Saad: With our best players available, we beat the second XI of a team that absent-mindedly interrupted its focused preparations for a European final to have a bit of a light warm-up kickabout with us in a meaningless fixture. How does this mean we have turned a corner? I mean, well done lads and it is better than losing from two-nil up in the final 60 seconds of a match. But breaking out the champagne?
'We just have to keep working'published at 17:22 11 May
17:22 11 May
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West Ham manager Graham Potter to BBC Match of the Day after the 2-0 victory against Manchester United: "Sometimes we talk about performances a lot as coaches, but results are nice. We've been in the middle of a really tough run. Today was great in that regard. The players executed things really well. Good intelligence. They showed all the things they needed to to win a football match. A great day for everyone involved with West Ham.
"You can talk tactics but it's about desire and application and sticking together. The player's attitude and commitment to what we're trying to do has been first class.
"We have the capacity. We just have to keep working."
