'I can do the job' says defiant Potter as West Ham beat Forest

Graham Potter said West Ham's 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Sunday proved he is the right man to lead the club out of their troubled start to the season.

Potter's side began the weekend at the bottom of the Premier League after heavy defeats against Sunderland and Chelsea in their first two matches.

A League Cup second round loss at Wolves in midweek had heaped further pressure on Potter, who has struggled to make an impact since taking charge earlier this year.

With six minutes left at the City Ground, West Ham's winless run looked set to continue.

But Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen fired home from the edge of the area to break the deadlock before Lucas Paqueta's penalty and Callum Wilson's strike sealed the points.

After his sterling work at Brighton, Potter's reputation has taken a hit following his abrupt sacking by Chelsea and the dismal start to his West Ham reign.

Graham Potter pushes Jarrod Bowen towards the West Ham fans! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WjKDxUSX7E

— Central (@WestHam_Central) August 31, 2025

But he remains adamant he has the qualities required to become a success at the London Stadium.

"This world is about outcomes and results and our results have been damaging so in the end, there's always noise and criticism," Potter said.

"That's why I'm sat here: because I can do the job. I've done it for 15 years and I believe in myself, I believe in the attributes and qualities I have and I can also deal with the downsides of the game.

"You need the team to be with you and I think the boys have always been fighting and they showed it here. This was a big win for us."

Bowen's goal was the perfect response to his clash with West Ham fans at Molineux.

Bowen apologised for an angry confrontation with supporters following the League Cup loss to Wolves and Potter said: "Everybody was hurting after the week we've had. The only way you can respond is to play well and win.

"That's what Jarrod did. It was a great finish for his goal, he's got that killer instinct in the box and he carries a threat when the game opens up.

"There's no doubt Jarrod cares for the club, he cares for the team, he wants to do well personally and you just saw a fantastic reaction from him and the supporters and how much they love each other."

Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has also had a tumultuous fortnight after admitting to a strained relationship with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who was in attendance on Sunday.

The pair are set for crunch talks during the international break and, asked whether their meeting will take on a different feel following Forest's first defeat of the season, Nuno said: "It doesn't help.

"Everybody at Forest is very sad and upset but there's no connection between (the result and meeting Marinakis).

"We try to separate and move forward in the right direction."