West Ham’s trip to the [City Ground](https://www.claretandhugh.info/nottingham-forest-v-west-ham-preview-team-news-predicted-line-ups/) this afternoon offers the Irons a chance to improve on their recent performances this season: No wins in two in the Premier League and also losing to Wolves and being dumped out of the Carabao cup is as bad a start to a season as most would care to remember.
Graham Potter ‘s insistence on using Jarrod Bowen as a striker and leaving three of them on the bench was not greeted with warmth and understanding by Hammers fans would couldn’t believe West Hams negative set up for a knock out cup.
Returning to the last Premier League fixture ahead of the international break, the Irons- as kindly pointed out by [nottinghamforestnews.com –](https://www.nottinghamforest.news/2025/08/30/nottingham-forest-hoping-to-extend-incredible-west-ham-record-that-has-stood-since-1996/) have on the face of it, a pretty poor record against the midlands side. Their gleeful article titled:
_“West Ham have not scored at the City Ground in the Premier League since 1996”;_ Is a little disingenuous as the two sides have only met FOUR times in the intervening 29 years. However, yes, as they say, it is correct:
_“The Hammers have not scored away to Forest in the Premier League in 29 years. The last player to do so was Michael Hughes in a 2-0 loss for the Garibaldi back in 1996.”_
So any sign of Graham Potter setting up in his now familiar 3-5-2 defensive, striker-less shape will depress the claret and blue followers whilst ensure one of the least desirable Premier League records looks like remaining for another season at least.
Just for once, could we see a bit of aggression and a 3-4-3 shape ? Surely I’m not alone in hoping for a couple of goals from West Ham? Callum Wilson, now’s your chance to start boosting your popularity at London Stadium!