The West Ham United faithful were preparing themselves for an emotional afternoon when Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest arrived at the London Stadium in the Premier League’s penultimate matchday.
It was, of course, a London Stadium farewell for Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal, Aaron Cresswell and, to a lesser extent, Danny Ings. Michail Antonio could be on his way too, of course.
And that is without mentioning Tomas Soucek. The West Ham favourite has held talks with Leeds and Everton.
Yet, as the West Ham United support walked away following the full-time whistle, the overarching emotion was more frustration and dissatisfaction than anything else. Summed up best by the two goalkeepers at Graham Potter’s disposal.
As Fabianski turned his displeasure towards Potter – left on the bench and denied the chance to stand between the sticks at West Ham’s home ground for the last time – the man who started in his place gifted Nottingham Forest an 11th minute lead.
Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Alphonse Areola mistake helps Nottingham Forest to West Ham United win
Alphonse Areola has become a ‘glaring weak spot’ in Potter’s XI in recent times, according to his critics. And the under-fire Frenchman gave those doubters plenty more ammunition; Areola gifted the opener to Morgan Gibbs-White.
If many in the home stands had their way, Sunday would end up being a London Stadium farewell for the former Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid goalkeeper too, with Espanyol reportedly keen on securing a return to La Liga.
“We lost the game and we wanted the win for the occasion. For Cressy, Vladi, Lukasz, Ingsy,” captain Jarrod Bowen sighed, Europe-bound Forest eventually holding onto a 2-1 lead despite the skipper’s stunning late consolation.
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“We wanted to end on a high. And, as a group, we wanted to end on a high for the fans that have stuck with us all season when it’s been disappointing. So, we feel like we’ve let them down today by not winning the game.
“The two goals are avoidable on our behalf, which is the most frustrating thing, because I thought we started the game well.
“Tom (Soucek) had a header that was saved. We had a couple of entries into their box and started really on the front foot. And then, a mistake happens.”
Captain Jarrod Bowen sticks up for under-fire Areola
Bowen, though, does feel that Areola deserves some credit for bouncing back, putting that early blunder behind him, and making a few important saves to prevent Nottingham Forest adding to their lead.
“You know, I think everyone makes mistakes in football. It’s one of those things,” Bowen argues. “‘Phonse didn’t let his head drop.
“And I think as a group, we didn’t let our heads drop. We kept going, but then we conceded a soft set-piece and we didn’t defend it well enough.
“We got the goal, had some really good chances, but we just couldn’t get the equaliser, so ultimately we’re sat here losing the last home game of the season.”
West Ham have been linked with Liverpool back-up Caoimhin Kelleher, while Aaron Ramsdale is available for £25 million after Southampton’s relegation back to the Championship.