West Ham United manager, Graham Potter has hailed his team’s quality following the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the premier league match-day 3 before the international break, Softfootball reports.
The Hammers were under a lot of pressure in the first half but held on until the second half when they turned the screw on their hosts with six minutes to the end of the encounter as Jarrod Bowen opened scoring on 84 minutes after receiving a pass from substitute Crysencio Summerville and slotted pass the goalkeeper.
Lucas Paquetá converted from the penalty spot after Summerville was brought down and former Newcastle United striker, Callum Wilson completed the rout after heading in El Hadji Malick Diouf’s inch-perfect left-wing cross.
Speaking to West Ham’s official club media, Potter expressed delight over the efforts from his players as he enjoyed the win. He said:
“I’m delighted for the players, delighted for the team. They showed the quality they have, they showed the togetherness and the connection that they’ve had. That, of course, comes under doubt when people lose trust and confidence because the results haven’t been what we wanted. But always the team have been fighting for each other and I’m really proud of them for that.
“The goals that we conceded [in our three previous games this season] have been incredibly soft. We’ve owned up to that and we’ve recognised that it’s hard when you concede goals in that manner to think about anything positive, and to think about how tactically you can set up. The first goal at Sunderland was nothing to do with the new tactics, nor was the second, nor was the third, nor was the first against Chelsea, etcetera.
“So you have to show and prove that you’re together that you’re connected, that you have an understanding of what you’re doing defensively and I think the players did that today. I can’t remember Forrest having too many chances, if at all.
“I thought we always carried a threat, so the game wasn’t high-quality but I think that was down to our organisation and our defensive solidity and then it great for the subs to come on and impact the game and to score three goals away from home is just brilliant for us.”
No premier league matches next weekend as it would be time for the international break. West Ham’s next match will be at home to Tottenham Hotspur in a London derby on September 13.
