West Ham’s traditional nervy start kept fans on their toes: Three of the four defenders in their new-look back line were playing in different roles to last time out: Hermansen must have been playing with stage fright after his shaky start to his Hammers career and there was a debut for Mateus Fernandes in midfield.
On top of all of that there was a new shape with three in the front line to adjust to: Taking all of that into consideration the fact that the Irons went into the break at nil-nil was something of a step in the right direction.
A combination of Fernandes and Paquetá almost gave West Ham a lead – a super save by ‘Forest’s keeper kept their goal intact but there were some very encouraging signs that the Brazilian and the Portuguese youngster were tuning into the same wavelength.
Equally matched, it seemed, as the second half saw Forest’s keeper Sels the harder working of the two, Hermansen apart from one (successful) punch from a corner having little to do, as his new-shape defenders stood firm with at last – a backbone that had been missing before.
The game switched with the substitutions – Callum Wilson came on for Fullkrug and was superb, forcing three saves in about ten minutes and the appearance of Crysencio Summerville for Fernandes – the first time we’ve seen Summerville since January – and he just was electric from the get go.
Creator for Bowen’s brilliant first, winning a penalty for the second – Summerville certainly lived up to his promise of ‘showtime’ in just 20 minutes, and by the time Wilson headed in from a fabulous Diouf cross for the third, the smiles were back, the game was won and Hammers fans remembered how winning was supposed to feel. Its’ been a while.
Dinos Mavros never put a foot wrong. His determined presence has been an unrecognised talent. Just maybe things are about to change. 3 NIL! well done Irons.
Too many corners.
Definitely keep that formation. And it was so good to see Summerville back again, it shows how much we’ve missed him, we went up 2 or 3 gears as soon as he came on.
About time the right formation for our players was played once again! Bowen was good and in Fernandes we have an intelligent footballer on the same wavelength as Paqueta; they could be quite a watch if the Brazilian stays (God I hope he does). What I liked was the non-regulars (KWP, Wilson, Mavropanos) have given the manager a headache. They all put a shift in.
Back 4 was great to see, let’s hope back 5 is dead. Bowen was back to his best not playing in a 2 upfront. Paquette worked harder than I’ve ever seen him, just stop some silly dives and screaming for a foul, you are too good for that. Brill celebration, which hopefully has put an end to transfer speculation. Summerville was a delight to see back and made a massive spark. Keep using Wilson as a 20 minute sub, he can manage that easily and show his skill, but don’t get in the way of Jarrod again. COYI.
I wasn’t looking forward to the Suds in a couple of weeks, now I say bring it on.
Are there still misguided folks out there who think Wilson is not an inspired signing? The guy is a proper centre forward miles better than Antonio and a pay as you play bargain to boot.
PAC played his heart out – his best and most committed performance for a very long time.
The only disappointment is Ward Prowse. No doubting his efforts but did he really
add anything?
It really has been a while and I can’t remember winning 3-0 for ages with quite a few positives on the pitch.
Still baffled by JWP and Soucek starting and playing most of the game but one step at a time……
If Paquetá kissing the badge was genuine ..A west Ham legend was born today…
From someone who has been so critical of Potter and his set up and tactics I have to say well done. I thought the change in formation would never happen. I sadly didn’t see the game but will look forward to watching tonight. Great result keep it up and I might just change my opinion on the manager…….
Thank god Potter finally saw sense and changed the system. The whole team were so much better that even a final score of 0-0 would have been a good result so scoring 3 goals away from home against a decent Forest side was truly a great result!
Onwards and upwards as long as we keep the same system.
A huge relief for everyone who cares about WHU and something positive to build on. Hoping the next 24 hours add to it.
Well I ended up in Yoxford Suffolk at short notice so the game I saw today was West Ham 1-0 Arsenal league division 1 1975 that was on one of the cable channels when I woke up this morning, both Brooking and Bonds out injured, John McDowell had a good game Alan Taylor with the goal. Completely out of the loop for todays game and staggered that we won 3-0.
watch it tonight and enjoy. fabulous effort and such a great shift by everyone…
I enjoyed the 1975 game Martin, I don’t think it was one I was at way back then. Totally out of the blue I am away and totally out of the blue it was on. What with a 3-0 away win today life is like a pleasant surreal experience sometimes.
How it took potter 3 games to see that tobido and aguard aren’t up to premier league standard and JWP is a passenger is unbelievable. He dropped 2 of them and we keep a clean sheet he takes off the other and we score 3 goals surely he has to stick with this system now
What a way to get back to winning! A real team effort. Much better with a back four. Paqueta will be missed if he leaves. Wonderful to have Summerville back. Good for Hermansen’ morale to deliver a clean sheet.
Just annoying at the end when Wilson stole the ball off Bowens feet just as he was about to score an amazing fourth goal.
I think it was more like four in the midfield than three up front but then Potters system always changes during the game. It’s very flexible. I think it was 3 up front and then 4-4-2 at the end.
Ooh J, looks like you’e been paying attention.
Potter, like many coaches, changes the formation/emphasis during the game to counter or take advantage of opponents.
Worked perfectly at Forest