Nottingham Forest’s bright start to the new campaign came crashing down as they slumped to a 3-0 home defeat against West Ham United.
Second-half goals from Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paquetá (penalty) and substitute Callum Wilson sealed a morale-boosting win for Graham Potter’s side, while Nuno Espírito Santo was left frustrated by his team’s lack of urgency and defensive lapses.
The result leaves Forest winless since the opening day and piles pressure on Nuno, who admitted his team “didn’t show the urgency the game required” in front of their home supporters.
Nuno on the Performance
Speaking to BBC MOTD, the Forest boss was forthright about where his side went wrong:
“We were in control and dominant and should have done some things better. The second half was bad. We got unbalanced and the urgency to chase the result and not be careful. Since the beginning of the game, we didn’t show the urgency this game required. We should have done much more.” — Nuno Espírito Santo, BBC MOTD
Nuno pointed to key moments where Forest failed to make the most of their attacking positions:
“There are a couple of moments where we had good situations in the box but not as much as required in a home game. We go home, we watch the game and try to make sure we don’t perform this way again.” — Nuno Espírito Santo, BBC MOTD
On the Penalty and Club Talks
The Portuguese coach refused to dwell on the incident that led to Paquetá’s penalty, instead criticising his own side’s mistakes:
“It was played advantage because of a foul but we have to look at other things that happened in the game. We made a lot of mistakes that punish us.” — Nuno Espírito Santo, BBC MOTD
Asked about conversations with the club’s owner Evangelos Marinakis, Nuno hinted that changes could be discussed in the coming days:
“We have to talk and address things. This result doesn’t help things but we have to address what the club needs. My job now is to help the team. It’s a sad day, we are upset but we have a second chance to make it right.” — Nuno Espírito Santo, BBC MOTD
Match Stats
| Stat | Nottingham Forest | West Ham |
|---|---|---|
| Ball possession | 60% | 40% |
| Expected goals (xG) | 0.56 | 1.72 |
| Total shots | 9 | 11 |
| Shots on target | 3 | 7 |
| Passes | 501 | 340 |
| Fouls | 13 | 6 |
source: sofascore – 31 Aug 2025
The numbers highlight Forest’s inability to turn possession into chances, while West Ham were far more clinical and direct in the final third.
Analyst Verdict – John William
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Nuno’s words reflect deep-rooted concerns:
“Forest had control of the ball but little control of the match. Their possession was passive, while West Ham were ruthless with their chances. Nuno is right to demand urgency — because without it, Forest risk sliding into a spiral. The next few weeks are crucial if he’s to convince Marinakis he’s the right man for the job.”
Key Insights
- Forest dominated possession (60%) but managed just 0.56 xG.
- Bowen, Paquetá and Wilson sealed a clinical West Ham victory.
- Nuno admits Forest lacked “urgency” and must “address things.”
- Graham Potter relieves pressure with West Ham’s first league win of the season.
- Forest’s defensive lapses and poor finishing proving costly.
What’s Next?
Forest head into the international break needing answers before resuming against Leeds at Elland Road. Nuno will know that a repeat of this lifeless second half will only intensify pressure on his position.
West Ham, meanwhile, take momentum into their clash with Aston Villa, with Potter finally delivering a result to ease the criticism surrounding his tenure.
Should Nottingham Forest stick with Nuno, or is this the time for Marinakis to make a change?
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