West Ham United

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 idea 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).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

What did you make of West Ham's display?

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

Nottingham Forest are unchanged from their 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace last weekend

New England call up Elliot Anderson starts in midfield with Douglas Luiz waiting for his debut after joining on loan from Juventus earlier this month.

Defender Nicolo Savona is not eligible as he joined from Juventus on Saturday, too late to be registered.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Wood.

Subs: Gunn, Morato, Douglas Luiz, Kalimuendo, Jesus, Hutchinson, Yates, McAtee, Boly.

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

Subs: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Scarles, Todibo, Potts, Rodríguez, Irving,

There are four games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Man City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Liverpool v Arsenal (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Aston Villa v Crystal Palace (19:00)

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction from the two 14:00 matches here

Get Liverpool v Arsenal here

And Aston Villa v Crystal Palace is here

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.

Forest should win this one comfortably.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

It's transfer deadline day tomorrow, with the window closing at 19:00 BST.

How would you assess your window? And if you think work still needs to be done, give us names on who should be brought in or let go.

Get in touch with your views here

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

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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.

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.

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."

Listen in full on BBC Sounds

Watch Bowen and other episodes of The Football Interview on BBC iPlayer

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."

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra match commentary of Nottingham Forest v West ham at 14:00 on Sunday

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

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.

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England boss Thomas Tuchel has selected his 24-man squad for the September World Cup qualifiers.

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, James Trafford, Dean Henderson

Defenders: Reece James, Marc Guehi, John Stones, Dan Burn, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tino Livramento, Djed Spence

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jordan Henderson, Adam Wharton, Morgan Rogers, Declan Rice

Forwards: Harry Kane, Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Ollie Watkins

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?

Get in touch with your views here

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

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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

West Ham have told Everton that they want to keep Tomas Soucek after the Merseyside club launched an enquiry for the 30-year-old Czech Republic midfielder. (Athletic - subscription required), 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

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

In a sense, West Ham's problems date back to the aftermath of that euphoric night in Prague, when the club ended a 43-year wait for a trophy by beating Fiorentina in the Conference League final.

Owner David Sullivan announced virtually immediately that Declan Rice would be leaving and Tim Steidten came in as technical director to help reshape the Hammers squad with the £105m received from Arsenal.

Except it didn't quite work out as planned.

For a start, Steidten and David Moyes were not aligned in their thinking, which eventually resulted in the German being banned from the training ground.

West Ham spent the Rice money and more on four signings - all of whom initially flattered, then became either inconsistent or ineffective.

When Moyes left in 2024 - a move most accepted had to happen - Julen Lopetegui was chosen as his replacement by Steidten. Another £140m was spent on new players who, as a collective, made limited impact.

Lopetegui was sacked in January. Steidten left the following month.

It was into this maelstrom that Graham Potter stepped.

As is his way, Potter has played down a desire for new signings. He is not the type to bemoan his lot publicly. He prefers to work with players to try to improve the collective group. That will not change no matter what pressure he comes under.

Potter is working hard to correct the situation of their reliance on Jarrod Bowen, Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta.

However, many West Ham fans have lost patience.

For all the noise around Potter, the interesting thing is the Hammers, historically, are not a sacking club.

If they end up in a mess, Sullivan's first reaction, usually, is to demand the manager gets the club out of it.

It is the tactic Sullivan followed with Moyes and, to an extent, Manuel Pellegrini before the Scot and Lopetegui afterwards.

The axe tends not to fall until after many have predicted.

That is not to say Potter has unlimited time. If Sullivan feels no progress is being made, he will make a decision.

The other point to remember, at the moment, is that Kyle Macaulay, a long-time associate of Potter, is now West Ham's director of recruitment. Clearly, we are still in a transfer window and the Hammers are trying to buy players.

Unless all the responsibility for this has been taken out of Macauley's hands - and there is no suggestion that is the case - Potter is presumably heavily involved.

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