Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the City Ground

There is a real buzz of anticipation around the City Ground.

The Forest players got a great reception when they left the pitch after the warm-up and when the West Ham fans started singing 'I'm forever blowing bubbles' they were soon drowned out.

Nottingham Forest

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Cooper says his players must embrace the atmosphere as the City Ground hosts Premier League action for the first time since 1999.

"It's our first home game back in the Premier League, but at the same time we have to focus on what we are in control of - that is the game, the performance and the result," says the former Swansea boss.

"That is really where our focus and attention needs to be because if we get that right we know there is going to be an amazing atmosphere anyway and it will be even bigger.

"We need to thrive in it, no doubt for the Nottingham public it is a big game.

“The fans deserve Sunday, they deserve Premier League football and the spotlight being back on their club because, it's such a big club and the fans have been through thick and thin so for them to be on a high now they deserve it."

Image source, .

Nottingham Forest (5) and West Ham United (6) had the fewest shots of any side on the opening weekend of the season, with the Hammers managing the only shot on target between the two sides. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest faced more shots (23) and shots on target (10) than any other side.

I wholeheartedly approve of turning up for a football match in a boat.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Emma Jones
BBC London

What do West Ham do now?

They weren’t ready for the start of the season. David Moyes admitted it. Not ideal then that his team had to kick off against the defending Premier League champions Manchester City and a certain Erling Haaland.

The West Ham manager wasn’t able to name any of his new signings in his starting XI last weekend as a record crowd at London Stadium watched City comfortably claim a 2-0 win, with the lion's share of possession, against a surprisingly lacklustre home side.

Moyes is still in the process of reshaping his team but has admitted some frustrations over his attempts to add to his squad.

There are clearly still going to be more ins – and some outs – before the transfer window closes.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the City Ground

Image source, PA Media

The TV people have been taking shelter in the shade on what is a pretty warm and sunny day in Nottingham.

But when Hammers boss David Moyes came out for his pre-match interview, they moved to the area of the pitch bathed in sunshine.

The Scot looked a little uncomfortable in his shirt.

He is back out there now watching the warm-up, in T-shirt and shorts, which is far more appropriate.

Sulaimon: Excited to see Taiwo Awoniyi start for Forest. I am looking forward to a formidable partnership between him and Jesse Lingard because they could help Forest stay in the top flight with their quality.

Wes Morgan
Captain of Leicester's title winning team

Image source, Getty Images

Its amazing to see Forest in the Premier League. Born and bred in Nottingham, it's what we've been waiting for and has been a long time coming. I know they deserve to be in the top league, when you step into the stadium and see the history and the fans that turn out you know it's a team destined to be in the top leagues. They will improve year by year.

Image source, Getty Images

This moment has been a long time coming. Many Nottingham Forest fans were not even born the last time they played a Premier League match at the City Ground. It's going to be emotional.

Colin Fray
BBC Radio Nottingham

Image source, PA Media

The August schedule looks daunting, especially after the defeat at Newcastle. West Ham are the first visitors, before a trip to Everton is followed by games against Spurs and Manchester City.

In truth, though, Forest’s battle isn’t against the likes of Newcastle or the others likely to occupy the top eight or nine positions.

And while reinforcements must still be called for, one defeat to a very good side shouldn’t, and mustn’t, lead to panic.

Steve Crossman
BBC Radio 5 live

If you're a West Ham fan you're thinking you're going to start 1-0 down because Jesse Lingard will score and if you're a Forest fan you're thinking you're going to start 1-0 down because Michail Antonio will score.

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on BBC 5 Live

I'm very interested to see what this version of Jesse Lingard is like, people forget he was starting for England when they made it to the semi finals in the last World cup. He's a senior player now so what's he going to be like leading on the field, and will we see the best of him again?

West Ham United

David Moyes on Jesse Lingard choosing Nottingham Forest over West Ham: "The player has his own choice to go where he wants.

"I've got to say the directors and owners made a great offer for Jesse, they really did try and push the boat out to try and get him and didn't get him, he chose Forest and that's Jesse's choice.

"There's no failing of the club of what they tried to do to get Jesse."

Image source, PA Media

Nottingham Forest’s Jesse Lingard was involved in 13 goals in 16 Premier League appearances for West Ham in 2021 (9 goals, 4 assists).

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the City Ground

It is a glorious day in Nottingham for a seismic moment in the history of the city's most storied football team.

After a 23 year absence, the City Ground plays host to Premier League football again.

With 14 new signings, no-one can be quite sure how long it will take manager Steve Cooper to forge a team capable of mounting a successful survival fight, which has to be Forest's ultimate goal.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, .

This is West Ham boss David Moyes’ 623rd Premier League match as a manager, while it is Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper’s second.

That gap of 621 games is the largest between two Premier League managers since May 2018, when Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger had taken charge of 790 more games (828) than Huddersfield’s David Wagner (38).

George Cummins
BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Rex Features

All eyes are on the City ground as Forest play their first Premier League home match in 23 years.

It’s been a busy summer with more than a dozen players arriving to assist in their battle for survival but away from the pitch it’s been very busy too.

The ground has effectively been a building site to make sure it’s fit for the Premier League. Lots of new infrastructure has been put in place so the ground is up to the standards required.

New TVs, benches and cabling have been added to the press box to accommodate visiting media from all over the world and the lounge where Steve Cooper addresses the press after the match has had a refurb.

There’s a good feeling at the club and having heard them test the sound system, I’m expecting it to be very loud!