West Ham United

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BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club but this week he's in the hotseat answering your questions.

Simon asked: How would you respond as a player to a coach who doesn't seem to know his preferred tactics, formation or first XI after a quarter of the season has elapsed? Julen Lopetegui chops and changes from one match to the next, even making triple subs at half-time.

Nedum replied: It is all about perspective because if West Ham were getting the results then fans would be happy with the rotations.

He must believe that he has the opportunity to tinker with his team based on the opposition and not that he doesn't know what his best team is.

The style of play seems to be the biggest issue because that is what brings consistency to your squad.

If I was a player then I wouldn't be overly concerned but the bigger issue is the lack of results. It is better to have a manager on the front foot who will make changes if things aren't working.

There is no reason to doubt the manager so soon into his tenure because for some it does take time to implement their changes.

West Ham are not in a dog fight, it is not great, but Lopetegui has the pedigree to make it better because I think he is a well established manager.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

West Ham are open to selling summer signing Guido Rodriguez, 30, in January, with a return to former club Real Betis on the cards for the Argentina midfielder. (Estadio Deportivo - in Spanish), external

West Ham, Brighton and Fulham are keeping tabs on English midfielder Josh Brownhill, 28, who is yet to sign a new deal with Burnley. (TBR), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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West Ham have kept just two clean sheets in their past 28 Premier League away matches, conceding 66 goals (2.4 per game). In 2024, the Hammers have conceded more goals on the road in the division (35) than any other side.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Everyone has their own favourite version of the political power story. It may be Hamlet, King Lear, MacBeth or even Wolf Hall.

You might be transfixed by modern boxed sets such as Succession while Game of Thrones is hardly a subtle version of these age old power struggles. My current favourite is in football.

Everywhere I look the battle between the first-team coaches and the acquisitions director/football director is simmering, or in some cases boiling, away. They try to keep their secrets in house, so we can only guess what really happened with say, Edu and Arsenal.

However much they dress these roles up in different titles, there is a deadly power struggle to see who gets the King's ear. The King being the ultimate owner and controller. The goings on at Chelsea made Game of Thrones look pleasant and polite but the more interesting current drama is at West Ham.

David Moyes lost the power battle with Tim Steidten, (going under the title technical director this time) but with Julen Lopetegui struggling, more eyes are wandering away from his dugout and up towards the main stand and Steidten. They seem to ask, who actually acquired the 10 new players over the summer who have so far scored a meagre three goals between them?

In Moyes' 'unacceptable' final season the Hammers finished on 1.4 points per game. They currently sit with 1.1 per game this time round. It is still early days but that is the difference between mid-table comfort and hovering around the relegation zone.

The technical advisors are now finding that if you grab the power you also have to accept the consequences.

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West Ham are interested in 26-year-old AC Milan and USA winger Christian Pulisic, along with Liverpool and Manchester United. (Calciomercato), external

Meanwhile, West Ham and Fulham are both interested in a January move for Manchester City and England Under-21 midfielder James McAtee, with the 22-year-old limited to just one Premier League minute so far this season. (Guardian), external

Arsenal and Liverpool will not be able to sign Mohammed Kudus for less than his £85m release clause next summer, with West Ham determined to keep hold of the 24-year-old winger. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club.

But this week, he's in the hotseat for your questions.

So what do you want to ask for a former player. Best opponent? Most memorable team-mate he played with?

Or maybe you're just interested in what next for your club this season?

Send in your questions, external

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Jarrod Bowen had told his dad this "could be my time to score for England" before getting his first Three Lions goal on Sunday.

The West Ham forward scored England's fourth in their 5-0 romp over the Republic of Ireland that saw them promoted from their Nations League group.

Bowen's strike came from his first touch of the ball, just seconds after entering the pitch as a substitute.

The 27-year-old only came into the squad late having been called up following a number of withdrawals.

"It is an honour to play for England every time I get the opportunity so to score that first goal was always on my mind," Bowen said after the match.

"I wasn't meant to be in the squad, I knew when the manager called me and asked me if I was willing to come in it was a no-brainer. It's an honour to come in.

"I said to my dad this could be my time. You need a little bit of luck and I got that.

"For me it was a different situation to one that I have been in before but I thought this could be an opportunity for me to score and it paid off."

West Ham and Southampton are both chasing 16-year-old twins Cole and Dylan Williams, with the Scottish midfield pair currently at Airdrie. (Sun), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

West Ham are looking at a move for 22-year-old Manchester City midfielder James McAtee in January, as they fear losing Lucas Paqueta. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column

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There has been some pressure on players carrying an injury going into international breaks with their national side because you are contracted to these clubs and that is where your income is.

But, for me, as a player I had a similar mindset to Harry Kane that I would always be available - injured or not injured. I would have injections when I was on international duty just so I could represent my country because it meant that much.

It is difficult, however. If you look at Jack Grealish and Pep Guardiola's comments, he has a point because the forward has not been able to play for Manchester City because of injuries. So if you have been sidelined for three or four games, I would agree that you are then not fit and available to go on international duty.

But when you look at some of the other players, ones who have been playing and being managed by their club, then I do not see it being different to being played and managed by your country.

From the club's side, when they are competing at such high levels in the Premier League, you can understand why they would want their players to be rested and get fully fit again over the two weeks, rather than having to come back straight into a hectic period of fixtures.

I kind of get it from both points of view but, as a player, if I am half fit and being played by my club, I would be fully available for my national team.

It is really difficult with the pressure that is on the players, though. I would not look at it as a decision players have made solely.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

West Ham are closely monitoring Brighton right-back Tariq Lamptey, 24, and are well placed to beat Everton and sign the Ghana international on a free transfer in the summer. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Saturday's full gossip column

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Earlier, we asked you who scored West Ham's first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season.

The answer is Lucas Paqueta, who netted in the 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa on 17 August.

Who scored West Ham's first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season?

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

West Ham are set to stand firm on attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus' £85m release clause, with Liverpool and Arsenal both monitoring the 24-year-old. (Mail - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

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We asked for your views on whether the lack of playing time for summer signings is an issue Julen Lopetegui needs to sort or whether the reason for the Hammers' poor start to the season lies elsewhere.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Hooli: Niclas Fullkrug's injury certainly skews the situation a bit, but Crysencio Summerville not playing earlier was daft. Carlos Soler hasn't shown anything in the minutes he's had and he doesn't have much pace. My problem is that Lucas Paqueta, Michail Antonio and Emerson Palmieri are all off it. Is Lopetegui developing any of our younger players? Also, we need to play Danny Ings!

Joe: I do not rate Guido Rodriguez at all. I don't understand how he's playing almost every game. He is too slow for the Premier League and he doesn't cover half the ground Tomas Soucek would. Keep him and Antonio on the bench this season - give the younger boys a chance!

Mike: It is clear that we are unclear on how we want to play. I can't tell if Lopetegui is chopping and changing to find the right formation, or if he is trying to mix things up for each opponent. Either way, the players seem to be unsettled and confused with no clear pattern of play evident.

Dave: We spent a lot of money in the transfer window but some of those players haven't been given an opportunity to play. I really feel Lopetegui doesn't know his best starting XI. It seems really strange that we spent £125m on players but spent zero on signing a manager. Manchester United did and they got ours. Sorry, Lopetegui out.

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I struggle to find reasons why it is not seeming to click for Julen Lopetegui at West Ham.

If you look at their fixtures and the teams they have lost against – the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa – it has been a lot of the top teams. The only team outside of that that they lost to was Nottingham Forest, but Forest were in the top three at the time. Other sides that you might expect them to beat or get a result against, generally speaking, they have done that.

It always takes time for a new manager and players to adapt. What West Ham fans wanted was a manager that plays with expansive, possession-based, easy-on-the-eye football and I do not think that is what Lopetegui is.

You have to be careful what you wish for. What David Moyes did with West Ham in terms of taking them into Europe and winning that Conference League trophy, they were probably punching above their weight a little bit.

It will take time but they certainly have a good enough squad. When you look at the players they have and the quality of those players, they should be getting better results. With the next few fixtures and into December, you would expect results to pick up and if they don't, that is when the questions should start to be asked.

But talk of sacking him in this international break is way too soon. He has only just stepped into the role, but the expectations were a lot higher. Ultimately for West Ham it is about staying in the Premier League, then if they can get into those European spots they will be doing great.

Management is about time. The players have to do better, but the manager needs to be given a bit time to get that together. I do not think sacking him and trying to rebuild with someone else with the players he has brought in is the right answer right now.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

We recently asked you to tell us something that nobody is talking about at West Ham, but should be. A few of you got in touch to raise concerns about Julen Lopetegui not giving enough minutes to his summer signings.

So we asked Holly Turbutt from West Ham Network, external to give her thoughts on the situation.

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

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When the summer transfer window closed, it seemed West Ham had enjoyed one of the strongest in the division. From the outside, it seemed they had recruited quantity and quality, leaving many Hammers fans optimistic about the season.

However, last week, some readers suggested boss Julen Lopetegui is not giving enough minutes to the players that West Ham signed in the summer transfer window. How true is this claim?

Centre-back Max Kilman, who Lopetegui previously worked with at Wolves, has played every minute this season. Fellow defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another to enjoy a fair share of playing time since arriving from Manchester United in August.

Midfield enforcer Guido Rodriguez has also featured regularly, starting every game since his switch from Real Betis.

However, the lack of minutes for Crysencio Summerville is a genuine frustration. Last season's Championship player of the season at Leeds has only played more than 45 minutes in two Premier League matches, and would surely add some firepower to a West Ham attack that has outscored just four teams in the Premier League.

Carlos Soler's lack of game time seems puzzling too. Lopetegui's fellow Spainard has won trophies in two countries and has almost 20 Champions League matches under his belt. He could add much needed experience.

One frustration Hammers fans tell us regularly is that Michail Antonio is still the club's main striker despite so much money being spent on centre-forwards in the past decade. It is not Lopetegui's fault that summer arrival Niclas Fullkrug has been injured, but it has not helped matters.

We want to hear from you, West Ham fans.

Is the lack of playing time for summer signings a major issue for Lopetegui or does the reason for the poor start lie elsewhere?

Let us know, external

West Ham United are looking at 23-year-old Botafogo and Brazil forward Igor Jesus, as they aim to strengthen their attacking options. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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It is fair to say Julen Lopetegui's tenure at West Ham is very much in the balance.

While David Moyes' time as manager had run its course by the end of last season, the arrival of Lopetegui was supposed to herald a new era at London Stadium, with technical director Tim Steidten allowed more of an input into transfers.

The result was a summer spend of almost £125m on new players amid an expectation of more expansive tactics and a place among the European contenders.

But star striker Niclas Fullkrug is yet to start a league game since his £27m arrival from Borussia Dortmund and is currently sidelined with an Achilles injury that could keep him out for a while yet.

Another expensive newcomer, £25.5m Brazilian Luis Guilherme, has managed two substitute appearances despite arriving with a huge reputation, and EFL player of the year Crysensio Summerville has managed one goal in 12 appearances, most of which have been as a substitute.

Amid massive speculation about his future, club sources have told me they are still 100% behind Lopetegui but that results have to improve.

The Hammers have some tough games ahead - a trip to Newcastle immediately after the international break and a London derby against Arsenal straight after that.

The pressure is on Lopetegui to deliver.

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Referees' chief Howard Webb says West Ham should not have been awarded a penalty during Erik ten Hag's final game in charge of Manchester United.

Julen Lopetegui's side were given the decision on the recommendation of video assistant referee Michael Oliver, after reviewing the footage of Matthijs de Ligt's challenge on Danny Ings.

Jarrod Bowen scored the penalty to seal a 2-1 win for the Hammers, with United boss Erik ten Hag sacked less than 24 hours later.

"I thought it was a misread by the VAR," Webb told Sky Sports' Mic'd Up programme. "A VAR that is normally really talented and reliable but gets uber-focused, in this situation, on De Ligt's leg.

"His leg coming through onto Danny Ings, not making any contact with the ball. The ball is already past De Ligt as he makes contact with Danny Ings - and the VAR sees that as a clear foul.

"I think he was too focused on that aspect. I don't think he should have got involved.

"I think this is a situation where we would leave the on-field decision as it is, probably whichever way it is called. On balance, I don't think it is a penalty kick."

On-field referees are not required to follow the recommendations of the VAR official.

"They are told that they are absolutely within their rights to keep their decision when they go to the screen," added Webb.

James Jones
Fan writer

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I wrote last week that I was beginning to lose patience with Julen Lopetegui and what he was trying to do at West Ham.

The Nottingham Forest defeat took me from being willing to give him time to not really knowing where any improvement was going to come from. I hoped it would come on Saturday against Everton.

Put simply, it needed to. But it didn't. There was no improvement.

The fact is, we were fortunate to come up against an Everton side with their own issues. If they were a bit more organised and a bit more clinical, they would have left London Stadium with three points in the bag without much effort at all.

From West Ham's perspective, it was tepid. It was lacking of any kind of identity or of any kind urgency. Aside from Crysencio Summerville hitting the post or a Jordan Pickford 'wondersave' in the final moments, we did not really show any real desire to beat the Toffees.

That is a huge concern for me and evidence West Ham should really be using this international break as an opportunity to reset and go again with a new man in the dugout.

The quicker the decision is made, the quicker things can be sorted and someone else can get to work on getting this West Ham squad, which is packed with top talent, playing to its full potential.

Because Lopetegui is failing to do it. He has failed to do it. The bulk of this Hammers squad won a European trophy not too long ago. Some are world-class footballers when they are on form. Many are full internationals.

There is absolutely no reason why they should be struggling like they currently are, unless it is because they are not fully on board with the manager's message.

It has become strikingly obvious that is the major issue here.

Find more from James Jones at We Are West Ham, external

Arsenal are ready to spend £83m (100m euros) on West Ham's Mohammed Kudus, with the forward keen to join the Gunners to play European football. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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Five players have been called up to England's squad for November's Nations League internationals after eight withdrew through injury.

Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen, Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite along with Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford have also been added to interim boss Lee Carsley’s squad.

Chelsea pair Levi Colwill and Cole Palmer, Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, Manchester City midfielders Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Southampton's Aaron Ramsdale have all pulled out.

England face Greece on Thursday, 14 November and the Republic of Ireland on Sunday, 17 November.