West Ham United

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We asked for your views on whether Julen Lopetegui can keep his job at West Ham or if the writing is already on the wall for the Spaniard.

Here are some of your comments:

Colin: He was the wrong person for the job right from the start. Little investment in the areas needed and a populist approach by the owners getting rid of David Moyes. I said at the time be careful what you wish for, and here we are.

Tristan: The worrying thing is that we have not improved defensively having changed three of last season's back four. Having spent considerable parts of our summer budget on defensive additions, is it down to poor recruitment or is it down to poor management? I think the main reason why we are poor lies in the midfield, which is not mobile enough to offer adequate protection to the back four. Rodriguez is not up to the speed of the Premier League and Edson Alvarez's lack of pace has been made more obvious. We need to invest in a mobile midfielder for anything to change, regardless of a change of manager.

Ben: What is really concerning is who will want to come to a club that treats people the way our board seems to think is acceptable? He is taking training with a massive cloud above his head - if it hasn't worked out for him then treat him with some decency. Let him go without this endless speculation. Moyes was treated with very little respect so what manager with any decent credentials will want in at a club clearly in turmoil yet again? Massive questions need to be asked about things like James Ward-Prowse being loaned out, why Danny Ings has been left to rot and why over-aged, slow, overrated players have been brought in. It is all very poor.

Terry: Last season, under Moyes, West Ham played some awful football but scraped enough points along the way. So many fans wanted a return to the 'West Ham way'. So here we are now playing some creative football but not as of yet getting the results. We are not conceding 75% possession and often have as many shots on goal as teams we lose against. Hang on tight - JLo may still be a good choice. Give him some time.

Paul: For a 'family club' all they have done in recent years is treat managers appallingly at the end of their reign. I don't know if this hints as to what may be going on for the rest of the time. This is nothing new and since the days of John Lyall there has been a perpetual feeling with fans that there is something not quite right, regardless of manager and the quality of team.

Will: Lopetegui has refused to allow players to settle. He repeatedly takes off our best players at 70 minutes (eg. Crysencio Summerville against Wolves) and then starts them on the bench, stopping anyone from building momentum. We lack the quality cohesion we saw a couple of seasons ago under Moyes and it isn't getting any better. If we get someone new in now, they have time in the transfer window and we can still make a positive out of this season with the mid-table so tight, but owners need to act fast.

David: The truth is Lopetegui is WORSE than Avram Grant - that's just plain shocking. We have so much potential in this team with some quality players but this man has no direction or any clue over to what our best line-up is. He has to go. It's over for him. I can't see him surviving another match or we'll get worse.

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

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Julen Lopetegui's position as West Ham boss is under increasing scrutiny, but if the Spaniard is to go, it will not be because the Hammers' defence became terrible under him.

In fact, it would more likely be because he did not improve the terrible defence he inherited in the first place.

West Ham had the worst defence outside of the promoted sides last season - and they have the worst defence outside of the promoted sides this season too.

The east London side are conceding goals at exactly the same rate as they did last campaign (1.95 per game), so not much has changed in that aspect since the departure of David Moyes.

The Hammers still having one of the worst defences in the league is less than favourable, but what has actually been the difference compared with 2023-24 is the finishing.

Despite taking more shots (14.6 per game compared to 11.8) and having a slightly higher expected goals (xG) figure at 1.45 per game, they have actually scored fewer goals (1.2 per game compared to 1.58).

West Ham deserved to finish ninth last season because they got the results to finish there, but they were not the ninth-best team in the league based on their underlying numbers. That was something disgruntled match-going fans could see in their performances and ultimately led to the change of manager.

The greatest trick the Premier League table ever pulled was convincing people it never lies - and it lied about West Ham last campaign (see also Manchester United finishing eight).

What do you make of the numbers, West Ham fans? Can Lopetegui survive? Or is the writing already on the wall? And if the Spaniard goes, who would you want to succeed him?

Let us know

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It was reported on Monday that West Ham were considering whether to sack Julen Lopetegui following a disappointing start to his tenure.

The board have held talks with Graham Potter about possibly replacing the Spaniard but as of yet Lopetegui remains in his position.

"Weirdly it has felt like it has been coming for a while," said New York Times Chief Football Correspondent Rory Smith on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"He has been under pressure since October and he has never really seemed like a great fit as there have been numerous low points already.

"It is hard to see it lasting long term, so it is just about who West Ham think they can get in to replace him.

"If there is no obvious upgrade available then maybe he sticks around a bit longer but it does really feel like a loveless marriage at this point.

"The board are known for not liking to pay managers compensation so that does limit who they attract, but for me there is no internal reflection of how they keep getting themselves into this situation and how they should be doing it all differently."

Listen to Monday Night Club on BBC Sounds

West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug is a January target for Juventus, with the Italian club keen to bring the 31-year-old Germany international in on loan. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

James Jones
Fan writer

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It is difficult to know how much longer West Ham can go on like this.

We have conceded nine goals in the last two games and while they have been against Liverpool and Manchester City, it is the manner of the defeats that continue to ring alarm bells.

The way in which we crumbled in both games highlights serious issues within Julen Lopetegui's system which have needed to be addressed for months now.

The performance against City on Saturday was good in parts, but you have to wonder whether that was only because Pep Guardiola's side are struggling for form and, as their manager said afterwards, still not their usual selves. I dread to think what the scoreline would have been had City been at their very best.

So what happens next? I cannot see any positive scenario that involves Lopetegui. I wrote a few months ago that there is evidence from other clubs that being patient, not panicking at the first sign of trouble and giving managers time to work with their players can have huge benefits.

Since then I have seen absolutely no reason to suggest Lopetegui is going to finally get things clicking with this West Ham squad. Yes, we are having loads of shots and enjoying more of the ball compared to previous seasons, but we are not scoring enough goals and we are conceding too many at the other end.

As I have said so many times before, this is just not sustainable.

So it is time for change. It has to be made immediately before it is too late for a new manager to come in and identify what players he wants from the transfer market to get this team operating properly. We cannot wait any longer.

We have a squad full of top-class players - some world-class. It makes absolutely no sense to wait any longer to make the change everyone knows needs to be made.

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

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Man City and West Ham.

Here are some of your comments:

City fans

Alan: The score doesn't reflect the game although I'm very glad to see us score a few goals! We are still wide open on the counter-attack and are playing slowly. It is frustrating but a win is a win. Onwards and upwards, Blues.

Susan: It was heartening to see City working together as a determined team and claiming the three points. The fans will be left feeling hopeful that City might start to climb the table and back into the top four.

Derek: An improved performance, but we are still well off our best. We are still looking very vulnerable to quick counter-attacks. Josko Gvardiol is still giving wingers way too much time and space to attack him.

Terrance: I feel our season is over. Our long-term the future is secure, apart from the elephant in the room which is City vs Premier League. Short-term, I hope that we can bring in two young energetic midfielders. Perhaps the FA Cup is a possibility for us this season. No disrespect to Salford City but I'm looking forward to the fourth-round draw.

West Ham fans

Simon: Another game, another starting XI, another heavy defeat. We are just wide open every game. I don't regret David Moyes going, but this can't continue.

Richard: We need to be so much better. Our defence don't seem to know what is happening or what they are doing. The team isn't the same without Jarrod Bowen and we need to take our chances when we create them.

Zalvador: Niclas Fullkrug was due to be hooked but then he scored and Julen Lopetegui changed his mind and took off our best player Mohammed Kudus instead. That was a big, big mistake. I don't understand his decisions and I'm fed up with his excuses. He should swallow his pride and admit he has made a huge mistake. Get Will Still in now.

Iain: It's not the fact that we lose, it's the manner. There has been no improvement on last season at all and the team are far too lethargic, which leads me to believe that the whole club needs a shake-up, not just a new manager. Edson Alvarez, Guido Rodriguez and Lucas Paqueta are way below par - they are costing us points and need to go. Get the youth development right and then invest in the right players that will make a difference.

Martin: Regularly conceding three or more goals is relegation form. It is very fortunate that there are three worse teams than us this season!

West Ham are drawing up a list of attacking targets for January which includes Brighton and Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson, 20, Wolves' 28-year-old South Korea forward Hwang Hee-chan and Middlesbrough's Ivory Coast forward Emmanuel Latte Lath, 26. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 1-1 Chelsea

• Brighton 1-1 Arsenal

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West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to Sky Sports after the defeat: "I think it is not easy to explain the match. We did not take advantage of the chances and we have to improve the little details. We are in a moment where this unlucky thing [the first goal] happens.

"The second goal was a big knock for us. The third goal was from one counter-attack. For all of their goals, we can do better. After we scored, we had good moments again but it is not enough. It is a pity.

"We regained a lot of balls but the little details and individual actions played against us. The message [to the players] is if you don't take your chances and score, they will win the match.

"The first goal was lucky for them, the second goal was big quality but even then we can do better. We have to improve with the moments we have and also be more solid.

"I think we did very good things, even if it is difficult to say when you lose 4-1."

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This is West Ham United's sixth Premier League defeat by a three or more goal margin this season, more than any other side.

All three of Niclas Fullkrug's Premier League goal involvements for the Hammers have come on the road (two goals and one assist).

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West Ham United captain Tomas Soucek has been speaking to Sky Sports: "We are upset because we had a good chance to take the points from Manchester City. Especially in the first half, I had a good chance, we had a few others and then we conceded a deflected goal.

"We tried to compete - and we did - but the result is not good.

"We have suffered a few big defeats. We have one way which we are building in training, which we wanted to show. In many ways we did, but we have to try not to concede goals.

"Jarrod [Bowen] is a big miss for us. This season he has been great, but this is football and we need to step up for him now.

"We showed more with the ball and we had chances but we need to concentrate on getting points."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Man City supporters - what did you make of the match?

West Ham fans - let us know your thoughts

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday, and we will bring you every moment.

• Tottenham v Newcastle (12:30)

• Aston Villa v Leicester

• Bournemouth v Everton

• Crystal Palace v Chelsea - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Man City v West Ham

• Southampton v Brentford

• Brighton v Arsenal (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 20, he takes on The Zutons frontman Dave McCabe, who supports Liverpool.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Jarrod Bowen's injury is a huge blow for West Ham because he has been their best player this season. I thought the Hammers' displays were picking up, but then they got absolutely demolished by Liverpool.

So, this feels like a good time for Manchester City to play them as they look to build on their win at Leicester.

That was not a particularly pretty performance but that part does not matter for Pep Guardiola's side at the moment.

It is all about taking small steps for City as they try to find some form again, so it was important for them to see Erling Haaland back on the scoresheet against the Foxes, and to keep their first clean sheet in five games.

This game might be a similar story in that City will have to scrap a bit, but again I expect them to get the job done.

McCabe's prediction: 3-0

We played West Ham the other day, and they weren't very good.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has praised Luis Guilherme's "very, very good" mentality as he backed the 18-year-old Brazilian to help replace the injured Jarrod Bowen.

Forward Guilherme has played just 20 minutes of football in three substitute appearances for the Hammers so far, but is now set to feature more with Bowen out for up to six weeks and Michail Antonio a long-term absentee.

West Ham go into Saturday's game at Manchester City 13th in the Premier League, eight points above the relegation places.

"Step by step he's more ready to help us and he's going to take advantage of his opportunity," Lopetegui said of Guilherme.

"I have the feeling that, with time, he's going to become a very good player for the Premier League.

"He has one very, very good thing: his mentality. He's a hard worker. He's a very humble boy and a very smart boy. He wants to improve. That's why I think that he's going to have a good future.

"I would like that his future is as soon as possible because we want to take advantage of him. I have a good opinion about the future because of his condition, physical, technical and his mentality.

"Mentality is key in all the players. If you have the right mentality, you are able to survive in the Premier League."

As we enter a new calendar year and the halfway point of the season, the Opta Supercomputer has been busy making its predictions.

But who is looking most likely to be playing their football outside the top flight next season?

It is bad news for fans of the teams who made their return to the Premier League this campaign.

According to the Opta Supercomputer's simulations, Southampton - rooted to the bottom of the table on just six points - are all but guaranteed to be playing Championship football again next term with a 99.47% chance of being relegated.

The picture is also not a rosy one for Leicester City and Ipswich Town supporters, who occupy the other two relegation spots. The Supercomputer does not see too much change there - the Foxes and the Tractor Boys having a 74.61% and 70.81% chance of relegation respectively.

It is better news for Wolves under new head coach Vitor Pereira, with Wanderers now having only a 39.21% chance of a Championship return, while Everton fans will be pleased to see they have just a 12.52% chance as they hope to see Premier League football in their new stadium next season.

Crystal Palace, West Ham and Brentford can all breathe easier with Opta predicting just a 1.68%, 0.81% and 0.72% chance of relegation respectively.

And what about Manchester United after new boss Ruben Amorim declared them to be facing a relegation battle? Well, it is good news for Red Devils fans as the chance of them actually playing Championship football next campaign is just 0.11%.

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West Ham have conceded at least once in each of their past 24 Premier League games against Manchester City – only against Sunderland have they had a longer run without a clean sheet in their league history (25 between 1923 and 1968). That streak ended with an 8-0 win, and Geoff Hurst scored six goals.

In 2024, West Ham conceded more goals than any other Premier League side (79), finishing the year with a 5-0 home defeat against Liverpool.

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Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush is "going to be a superstar", says German football expert Raphael Honigstein.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League after an impressive first half of the campaign that has seen him score 18 goals and provide 12 assists in just 24 games.

It is form not too dissimilar to that of his international team-mate Mohamed Salah, drawing understandable parallels between the two.

"A really dynamic, wide forward who can play through the middle - he is not really a winger and he is not really a centre-forward; he is in between," Honigstein told the BBC Euro Leagues podcast.

"Some people have compared him to his compatriot Mohamed Salah. He is perhaps not quite as tricky and explosive but his finishing is incredible. He is one of those players that came to Germany when he was 18 and for six years and you think 'OK, interesting player but probably not really going to set the world alight,' then suddenly this season he has absolutely exploded to a different level.

"It is to the point we are talking 60-70m euros, maybe 80m euros, in the transfer market. There will be a big move ahead for him and that is why he is one to watch because it is very unlikely Eintracht Frankfurt will stick with him. Some big clubs will come in for him and, if he continues on the same path, he is going to be a superstar.

"He will be a great buy for whoever gets him."

French football journalist Julien Laurens agreed, saying: "He can probably get even better because he is still young. He has had to wait for his career to click and now he has got that confidence and momentum.

"If he plays with better players in big clubs with better coaching, then there is even more to come from him."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester City (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• It is still unclear how long Jarrod Bowen will be sidelined for after fracturing his foot against Liverpool on Sunday: "It's not going to be a few days, that's for sure. He was able to play 50 minutes with the injury, but now he has to rest and recover. It's not good news for us. I prefer not to say a number because we have to see how he is going to develop."

• On how big a blow his absence will be: "He is one of our main players and our captain too, but we have to be able to find solutions. It is a moment for other players to show they are ready to help us. We believe in the players that are in the squad, they are going to try to take advantage of this opportunity."

• He will be turning to his "leadership group", which includes left-back Aaron Cresswell and defensive midfielder Tomas Soucek, to find someone to step up and captain the side in Bowen's absence.

• Michail Antonio being discharged from hospital and being allowed to recover at home is "good news" but the forward is still "going to be out for a long time".

• On whether he will have to bolster his forward options in the current transfer window due to having two forwards out for an unknown time frame: "It is true that we have these two important losses, but the squad knows that we need someone [to step up]. At the moment, the squad is going to work around this."

• Meanwhile, striker Niclas Fullkrug is "step-by-step getting better and putting his body in the best condition" so he is "ready to help" the team, but he added: "It is up to our choice. We can choose him or another player, because Danny Ings is ready too and we can use other players in that position.

• Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will also be back in contention after serving the Premier League's 10-day protocol for head injuries.

• On reaching the halfway stage of his first season in charge of the Hammers: "I think we have had good moments but also moments where we have to improve, so we are more demanding with ourselves. We start the second part of this season with the team knowing me better and me knowing the team better. I think that is the base we are trying to build on."

• He is expecting a "demanding match" against Manchester City: "I am sure that we are going to play one of the best teams around the world. You can speak about the last weeks but I prefer to put the focus on the team we are about to face, and I know that we are going to face a very good team with top players and a top coach. We need to put the focus on our strengths and believe in ourselves to overcome this demand."

• Lopetegui was asked about West Ham's decent away form of only three defeats from nine games on the road: "I think that we try to do well at home and away, for me it has the same importance. We have tried in the last matches to make it very tough to score in the last moments, such as the last part of the first half and the second half. We try to keep the positives and try to improve the things that we have to improve."

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