Croatian manager Slaven Bilic is a contender to return to West Ham United and replace Graham Potter, if the Premier League club decide to make a managerial change. (Talksport), external
Former Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo and ex-Everton manager Sean Dyche are also under consideration to replace Potter at London Stadium. (Guardian), external
Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist
West Ham boss Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace at London Stadium (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is unavailable due to "a problem with his stomach". It is hoped that he will return to "light training" tomorrow or over the weekend.
Callum Wilson and Niclas Fullkrug have both had "a full week of training" so the rest of the squad is "pretty much as it was".
Academy graduate Freddie Potts has to "keep working hard with the other players and wait for his opportunity", after being included in the matchday squad but left on the bench last time out.
There should not be concern about their two home results this season, losing to Chelsea "who are Club World Cup champions" and Tottenham "who are competing in the Champions League".
However, Potter did admit that West Ham's home record has not been good enough "for a period of time", extending to before he joined the club in January 2025.
Asked about changes he would like to see on Saturday, he replied: "In the Premier League, it's difficult to control things for the whole 90 minutes, so sometimes you have to suffer and sometimes you need a bit of luck. Our challenge at home is to play better than we have. We've been affected by goals a little too much."
Defending set-pieces is "an area that has to be improved" and something the squad has been "working on all week". He added: "There's no point shying away from it. We have to own it and use it as an opportunity to make some progress because, at the moment, it is hurting us."
In relation to the club statement released on Wednesday night, external, he highlighted that "everybody is on the same page, in terms of how much we love the club and how much we want the club to do well".
He went further in his insistence that everyone at West Ham is united: "Everybody wants West Ham to do well, the fans, the players, me and my staff do and the board. We are all on the same page in terms of how much we love the club and how much we want them to do well. We are all hurting the same."
On the suggestion his role is to 'build and develop the first-team squad in line with the club's identity and objectives': "You have to do lots of things in this job. You have to build and develop, but you also have to win and it's fair to say we haven't done that as much as we would like. There's always pressure and negativity that comes with that."
FA Cup winners and Conference League debutants Crystal Palace "are clearly doing a lot right". Potter praised the club's board and manager Oliver Glasner for doing a "fantastic job building their current project".
He added on their London rivals: "They have lots of good players that clearly know what they are doing in and out of possession. They are solid in attack and defence but nobody is perfect, so we have to focus on making our game a problem for them as well."
Follow Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
West Ham have started to think about potential successors to under-pressure boss Graham Potter and want someone who can galvanise the squad and the club's fanbase. (Teamtalk), external
Meanwhile, the Hammers, Everton and Nottingham Forest considered a move for Sergio Reguilon over the summer, with the 28-year-old Spain full-back a free agent after leaving Tottenham. (Mail), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
West Ham fan contributor Holly Turbutt speaks about the issues Graham Potter needs to fix to turn around the Hammers' fortunes.
Find more from Holly Turbutt at West Ham Network, external
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between West Ham and Tottenham.
Here are some of your comments:
West Ham fans
Bill: Weak and naive and at the back, slow in midfield and our striker on the bench. It's hard to understand Graham Potter's tactics, let alone his strategy for the club. This is relegation form that has to change very quickly. Potter may be gone soon - his time is surely up?
Mark: Woeful defending for all three goals. Midfield are far to slow and no out-and-out attacker again. Potter hasn't a clue - time to get rid and get either Jose Mourinho or Nuno Espirito Santo in. But, the board won't do that because they like yes men.
Darren: I was optimistic about the appointment of Potter and wanted to give him time. But enough is enough - we are in a relegation battle. Our defensive frailties are clearly visible and he has no answers. Another dreadful performance, despite a bright first 20 minutes.
Dave: Another gutless, spineless performance under the direction of a clueless manager.
Spurs fans
Brian: Definite signs of improvement in this young squad with huge potential. Bergvall was a shining light, but so many positives to take from the game. Considering the injury list, players still getting up to fitness and learning the way Thomas Frank plays, I have high hopes for the team.
Matt: Positive early signs. Bit 'Spursy' in our result against Bournemouth but a good bounce back, especially after the international break. I feel we are starting to resemble a squad with depth. Lots of options for the season ahead.
Barry: When is a goal not a goal - when the correct decision is too difficult for the officials to have the courage to take it (this also applies to subsequent penalty appeal). But, justice was done.
Andy: Who'd have thought we would be set-piece specialists?! At the back, we really have two world-class centre-backs in Van de Ven and Romero; and, in midfield, it looks like our trio will be Palhinha, Sarr and Bergvall until Maddison comes back. However, there are still issues up front with none of the forwards scoring or looking like they are going to score. We don't have any natural finishers - even when Solanke comes back. Simons and Kudus look good on the flanks, but let's hope Kolo Muani in the middle is the answer.
West Ham are considering a move for Nuno Espirito Santo should they sack manager Graham Potter. (Alan Nixon), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column
Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesEven when they are being subjected to the kind of criticism they are getting at the moment, West Ham's ownership tend not to go in for knee-jerk reactions when it comes to dealing with managers.
Chairman David Sullivan is more likely to give someone a game or two extra rather than act when there is still a possibility the situation might be pulled round.
Clearly though, heavy home defeats by two of the club's fiercest rivals and slipping into the bottom three is not a good look, especially when Graham Potter's appointment last season failed to trigger the improvement hoped for.
If there is a slight positive as far as Potter is concerned, it comes from knowing we are still incredibly early into the new season.
Julen Lopetegui collected only five points from his first six Premier League games in charge last season and it was January before he was sacked. In 2022-23, West Ham collected five points from seven games with David Moyes in charge.
The secondary point is that West Ham made four signings between 29 August and the transfer deadline closing two days later. Given there was an international break in between, how much time has Potter had to work with his new-look squad?
Next week, unbeaten Crystal Palace visit London Stadium for a game where huge demonstrations against the ownership are planned. If that game doesn't go well, a tense atmosphere could turn toxic.
After that it's a trip to Merseyside and a meeting with Moyes' improving Everton before a trip to Arsenal, where West Ham have won on their past two visits, including under Potter in February.
That feels a more obvious time to reassess, even if many West Ham fans feel getting rid of the manager is only the start of the change they really want.
Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesWest Ham made five signings in the summer, with highly rated full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, goalkeeper Mads Hermansen and former Newcastle striker Callum Wilson among those to arrive.
Despite bolstering their defensive options, that has been the main concern for the Hammers this season.
Aside from the alarming number of goals they have conceded, it is also the type they are letting in.
No team has conceded more headed goals (five) than West Ham this season, while they have also let in six goals from corners - only two fewer than they conceded from corners in the whole of last season (eight).
"We conceded nine or 10 set-pieces before the goal [against Tottenham] and defended them well," said Graham Potter after his side's 3-0 defeat to Spurs.
"We made a mistake at the far post and got punished."
But for ex-Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given, it is not just about the poor start to the season but more the poor form that has been going on longer.
"Everyone said judge Graham Potter when he's had a full pre-season and a chance to get his own players in, but there's been no improvement," he told BBC Sport.
Seeing the stadium half empty in the second half, just like it was against Chelsea, will worry the West Ham hierarchy.
"Tomas Soucek's red card didn't help but that is six wins and 11 defeats in 22 league matches for Potter. They've started so poorly. Will he be given more time? I'm not sure."
Pundits Ashley Williams and Shay Given join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, ReutersDespite a bright opening spell, it proved to be another afternoon of frustration for those associated with West Ham.
Had Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta delivered the sort of finish a superb move down the right deserved - instead of one that was tame and off-target - things may have played out differently.
And as early promise evaporated, Spurs took control of proceedings and West Ham's defensive flaws were exposed again.
The Hammers have now conceded more headed goals (5) than any other side in the Premier League this season and and on this evidence, it is easy to understand why.
Quite why full-back Walker-Peters and midfielder Mateus Fernandes were at times picking up Romero and Van de Ven at set pieces was mystifying.
As was Sarr being one of two Tottenham players left completely alone at the back post when he headed the opening goal less than two minutes after half-time.
The defending for Bergvall's goal was little better, coming from a long ball that completely caught out centre -back Konstantinos Mavropanos. For Van de Ven's strike, West Ham had eight players in their box to Spurs' three, yet were still beaten to the loose ball.
West Ham boss Graham Potter spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's defeat by Tottenham: "The first half was a positive performance for us. We connected well as a team and attacked well.
"We were incredibly committed and together as a team so it was disappointing the second half panned out the way it did. We had the red card after conceding and were quickly 2-0 down and it got away from us.
"We made a mistake for the first goal and they executed it well - we should do better. We had a good reaction, Jarrod [Bowen] had a shot but it became uncomfortable after the red card."
On the sending off: "I don't think there was intent from Tomas [Soucek] and there wasn't a lot of speed in it but when you go with your studs raised you've got a problem."
Speaking to Sky Sports about the reaction from fans, Potter added: "I understand [their disappointment] because the scoreline is the scoreline and I understand why people are upset. We are a new team and we have to stick together and focus on the things we've done well and see where we can improve."
Did you know?
West Ham have lost both of their opening two home Premier League games for the third time in the last four seasons (also 2022-23 and 2024-25). It's the eighth time they've done so overall, three more than any other side.
Tomas Soucek's sending off was West Ham's ninth Premier League red card against Spurs, two more than they've had against any other opponent.
Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on West Ham's performance
What did you make of Tottenham's display?
Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies
West Ham make one change to the side that won 3-0 in the Premier League at Nottingham Forest before the international break with Crysencio Summerville coming in for Niclas Fullkrug.
West Ham XI: Hermansen, Diouf, Kilman, Mavropanos, Walker-Peters, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Fernandes, Paqueta, Bowen, Summerville.
Subs: Areola, Julio, Wilson, Fullkrug, Guilherme, Magassa, Wan-Bissaka, Potts, Irving.
Tottenham hand Xavi Simons a debut as one of three changes from the side that started their 1-0 loss to Bournemouth in the Premier League before the September international matches.
Mathys Tel and Lucas Bergvall also start with Rodrigo Bentancur, Richarlison and Brennan Johnson on the bench along with deadline-day signing Randal Kolo Muani.
Tottenham XI: Vicario, Spence, Van de Ven, Romero, Porro, Sarr, Palhinha, Bergvall Simons, Tel, Kudus.
Subs: Kinsky, Danso, Richarlison, Udogie, Johnson, Odobert, Bentancur, Davies, Kolo Muani.
There are eight games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Arsenal v Nottingham Forest (12:30)
Bournemouth v Brighton
Crystal Palace v Sunderland
Everton v Aston Villa - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Fulham v Leeds United
Newcastle v Wolves - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
West Ham v Tottenham (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Brentford v Chelsea (20:00)
Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated
Follow all of the action and reaction here
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Aston Villa" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Wolves", for instance.
Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds
For West Ham to go to Nottingham Forest and win 3-0 was an incredible result - I never saw that coming, so fair play to those of you who did [out of more than 54,000 predictions by BBC readers, only 1,435 backed the Hammers to win and just 53 of you got the exact scoreline].
Now it is about Graham Potter's side backing it up, but I don't think they will. I never really fancy West Ham at home the same way I do with other teams because their fans always seem edgy at London Stadium.
Tottenham have a point to prove too after their surprise home defeat by Bournemouth. I didn't think that would happen either, but Thomas Frank's teams are usually so well balanced and I am expecting them to bounce back.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
Jordan Butler
BBC Sport journalist
West Ham United return to Premier League action with a London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. BBC Sport looks at the key talking points before the encounter.
Hammers head coach Graham Potter remains under pressure despite producing the best result of his eight-month tenure prior to the international break.
The Hammers' surprise 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest was even more of a shock given that the last time they scored a Premier League goal at the City Ground was in 1996.
Potter is now vying to win back-to-back Premier League matches for just the second time as West Ham boss, with his side defeating Arsenal 1-0 away and Leicester City 2-0 at home back in February.
That triumph over the Foxes was West Ham's last at London Stadium. The Irons have collected just three points from a possible 18 on home soil since that day, a dismal run which includes a 1-1 draw with Ange Postecoglou's Spurs.
Saturday's game marks the start of a new era for Tottenham who, for the first time in almost 25 years, will play a Premier League match without executive chairman Daniel Levy at the helm.
Levy's final managerial hire, Thomas Frank, started life at the club with back-to-back league wins but his honeymoon period ended abruptly two weeks ago after a 1-0 home defeat by Bournemouth.
It took until the 54th minute for Spurs to muster an effort on goal and they attempted just five in the entire match – 15 fewer than their opponents.
Frank's side will require a far better showing if they are to get something from London Stadium. Tottenham's last victory at the ground was in November 2019 and they are winless in five previous visits, drawing three and losing two.
New signing Xavi Simons was introduced to the fans before their last Premier League outing and could provide the necessary creative spark as Spurs look to return to winning ways.
The 22-year-old Dutchman was directly involved in 19 goals at RB Leipzig in 2024-25 despite missing 15 games with an ankle injury. He's contributed 43 goals and 32 assists over the past three seasons and should be involved for the first time this weekend.
Listen to West Ham v Tottenham commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live on Saturday
You can also listen to 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play west Ham v Tottenham".
Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds
Saffie Yates
BBC Sport Researcher
West Ham boss Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Tottenham at London Stadium (kick-off 17:30).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Potter is pleased with how new signing Igor Julio has adapted to the team: "He's trained really well, fitting into the group really well. A really positive character."
On Lukas Fabianski's return to the club: "He's towards the end [of his career] but there's still life there, for sure." He added: "He brings a lot of character, personality, and standards."
There are "no absentees" for Saturday's game but Potter says Nicolas Fullkrug had "a slight issue with his calf" from international duty but "he trained lightly today and we'll see how he reacts."
On the Nottingham Forest win: "There was a determination from the players that was born from frustration, disappointment and anger about how the first two games had gone."
On Callum Wilson's integration into the club: "We are still building him up. He hasn't had a pre-season with the team but his impact against Forest was fantastic. We're delighted with him and where he is at. He's the type of professional that regardless of whether he starts or finishes, he can have a great impact for us."
He praised Jarrod Bowen's leadership skills: "Everybody knows how important he is. He's been a fantastic captain for us. A great leader and speaks really well to the players."
On international break: "Half the team was away but we've trained well and used the time well. Some players are still recovering from international travel but by the time the game comes around we will be ready."
He highlighted the importance of Saturday's game: "It's an important game for us. We understand how much it means to our supporters. So we want to carry on the feeling of positivity we had against Forest, do our best and try to win."
On Tottenham manager Thomas Frank: "I've played against Thomas's teams a lot. He's a very well respected coach. I have a lot of time for him."
Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Image source, Getty ImagesLukasz Fabianski says he is "here to support and keep the standards high" after his return to West Ham was confirmed.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper has rejoined the Hammers until the end of the season, having left when his contract expired earlier this summer.
"I'm really, really, really happy to be back because this club obviously means a lot for me and the people at this club as well," the former Poland international said. "Seeing them again, it felt nice and beautiful.
"I've always been a player who is putting the team above my personal goals. I think then maybe people see me as a good person to be around, a good person to have in the team in terms of what I bring.
"I'm here to support, to keep the standards high. I have huge experience as well, so I think it can be useful. I understand that my role is completely different."
Fabianski made 216 appearances over a seven-year spell at the club after joining from Swansea City in 2018 and Hammers boss Graham Potter says he is "really pleased" to have him back in the fold.
"Regardless of him being here previously, the main factor is that he is still a top goalkeeper and a top professional, and the perfect choice for the role we needed to fill," Potter said. "It's a signing that makes perfect sense for everyone.
"His personality and character will be a great example. He is someone who really cares about West Ham United and wants to help us in any way he can.
"We are very happy to have him back with us."
