West Ham United

James Jones
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The one player West Ham need more from for the remainder of the campaign is Mohammed Kudus. He has been a shadow of the player who hit the ground running in east London last season.

After signing from Ajax almost two years ago, Kudus announced himself as one of the most exciting forwards in the Premier League. He registered 20 goal contributions in 45 appearances, had a goal nominated for the Puskas Award and was heavily linked with a move to a club playing in the Champions League all summer.

The expectation was that he would only get better this season, but it just has not happened.

Granted, the changing of managers twice since last season will not have helped his flow, but his drop-off in form has been so extreme it cannot purely be attributed to that alone.

This season he has just five goal contributions in 27 appearances. He has gone from scoring or creating a goal every 2.25 games to every 5.4 games. For a player who everyone is touting as Champions League level, it is not good enough.

It is no surprise, then, that rumours linking him with a move away from east London have quietened in recent months.

Graham Potter will no doubt be keen to keep him but must also be wondering how he can get the very best out of someone who is undoubtedly a very talented player.

Perhaps that is what we are going to see between now and the end of the season.

Quite frankly, something needs to happen. We are in a situation where Kudus is too good to be dropped but, equally, so out of form there will be other players in the squad itching to take his place.

If we can get the old Kudus back for the rest of the season, there is no doubt we will win more games than we will lose. Fingers crossed!

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

Image source, Getty Images

Former Crystal Palace and West Ham defender James Tomkins has retired from professional football.

The 35-year-old's last appearance came for Palace in May 2024 - and he featured 136 times for the club across an eight-year spell.

He also spent over eight years at West Ham, where he played nearly 250 games and scored 11 goals, and he had a short loan spell in the Championship with Derby.

In a post on Instagram, he said: "Thank you to my amazing family for making my career even possible and their continued support over the years.

"Also, thank you to all the brilliant coaches and players I have worked with throughout my career.

"I was lucky to play for three clubs - all with amazing fans who make football what it is. I will miss the game, but it's time to announce my retirement."

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier, we asked which player has appeared in the most Premier League wins for West Ham.

The answer is Mark Noble, who was involved in 147 victories.

Which player has appeared in the most Premier League wins for West Ham?

Come back to this page on Friday afternoon for the answer

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions.

Craig asked: Would a Lucas Paqueta ban affect us financially?

Simon: It depends how long the ban was Craig and what detail is contained in any written reasons. I think it is pretty clear Paqueta would have joined Manchester City if the case had not been hanging over him. Paqueta's contract runs to 2027. The player continues to plead his innocence, while the case has got underway and is set to last three weeks. Hopefully it won't be long after that before we get a decision and Paqueta – and West Ham – know where they are.

Jimmy asked: Simon, West Ham's central midfield needs to be completely revamped in the summer transfer window, with more younger, energetic central midfielders. Do you have confidence in Potter and his scouting team to achieve this considering there is likely to be less transfer funds?

Simon: I do Jimmy, because Potter's thinking will be aligned with that of head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay. Fundamentally, while Tim Steidten is a decent operator, he met with resistance – and a difference of opinion – with David Moyes and then made mistakes when he was putting together a squad for Julen Lopetegui. I expect Potter to be more involved than Lopetegui but not working against Macaulay, as happened in the last season under Moyes. What I would caution against is expecting a huge number of new players that promise immediate improvement. A bit like Moyes, Potter likes to build. So younger players may be the order of the day. He also has to work out which of the current squad he has no use for.

Come back later for part four where Simon will be providing his thoughts on the future of Mohammed Kudus.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Our chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions.

Patrick asked: I noticed Kudus was top of the pile for number of dribbles in the Premier League to date. How can Potter turn this possession into more assists or goals?

Len asked: Will West Ham need to sell Mohammed Kudus to bring in players, even if this will weaken the side?

Simon: I will answer these two together if that is OK, Patrick and Ken. I don't think West Ham have to sell Kudus. That is not to say he will remain at the club. He has done enough to show he could be valuable to any number of teams and there is bound to be interest in the summer. The same is also true of Lucas Paqueta, if his current FA case reaches a favourable conclusion. Would West Ham sell both? It would be a brave move but it would allow Graham Potter to shape the squad the way he wants, from goalkeeper to the top end of the pitch. I think Kudus tends to drift in and out of games. Keeping him interested during matches is the key. But, as I say, it may be someone else's problem next season.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Our chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been taking your questions.

John asked: What's happening with Evan Ferguson? Is he not fit? Why is he not being used? Why did they sign him?

Simon: Hiya John. I was really looking forward to what Evan Ferguson might produce at West Ham because he has so much quality. However, it feels to me as though he has been pincered slightly. His lack of game time at Brighton means he can't have been fully match sharp when he signed. Then, Graham Potter landed on the three at the back as a way of making his team more solid and less easy to play through in midfield. Jarrod Bowen was always going to start, so then it ends up being a decision over where Mohammed Kudus fits in, and Potter doesn't want him alongside Lucas Paqueta in a deeper role. That has limited Ferguson's chances, which compound the lack of match sharpness. It feels as though the Republic of Ireland international needs a break. There is definitely a top talent there. Circumstance means he hasn't had a chance to show it.

Come back later for part three where Simon will be considering the impact of Lucas Paqueta's ban on the club.

• Not a West Ham fan? Find your club page here

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Our chief football news reporter Simon Stone has been taking your questions.

Mart asked: Ferguson looks like an injury waiting to happen - like Carroll, Ashton, etc. Do you think a drive to recruit British players - Abraham, Walker Peters, Harwood-Bellis - to name a few, is the way forward?

Simon: Hiya Mart. Well, I know Ferguson isn't British but he is certainly well versed in what it takes to make an impact in the Premier League. I do see the value in looking at the Premier League and the Championship because there is no bedding in time. The balance to that is that the transfer fees are often higher. West Ham paid £18m for Jarrod Bowen when they signed him from Hull five years ago. I suspect it would cost double that for a player with a similar background now. Bowen clearly worked but there are no guarantees. Compare that to the £13m they committed to Tomas Soucek in the same window. Soucek was already an established international with experience of playing in Europe. Buying British sounds good. But it is expensive.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Our chief football reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions.

Joe asked: How are the West Ham hierarchy going to tackle the dwindling atmosphere at the London Stadium? To rely on performance on the pitch is not something West Ham can ever rely on!

Simon: Hiya Joe. Thanks for the question. Firstly, I want to put to bed any connection on the atmosphere with the stadium. Those three seasons in Europe proved you can get an excellent atmosphere at the London Stadium. However, when the team is not doing so well, it is flat. But you could say the same about many clubs. The Emirates wasn't exactly bouncing (or at least the home section wasn't) when West Ham won there recently. The same is true of Manchester City on plenty of occasions this season. Clubs have tried 'singing sections' and I do see the value in that – but I also know the Premier League is changing – and so are the people watching the games. More, it seems to me, home fans start from the premise of wanting to be entertained rather than getting behind their team. It is tricky.

Come back later for part two where Simon will be considering the impact of Evan Ferguson.

• Not a West Ham fan? Find your club page here

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport's chief football reporter Simon Stone has been answering your questions.

Sam asked: There's not much to play for at West Ham now this season. Is it time to throw in some more young players and try and lift the completely flat atmosphere at home games and make the end of the season less dull?

Simon: Hi Sam. Thanks for your question. I am not sure West Ham's hierarchy would see it as having nothing to play for. There is a minimum £3m a place to start with, so even if they can get on top of the little group of four they are currently in with Manchester United, Everton and Tottenham, that would be an additional £9m on their current placing. And, while it is a bit of a long shot, 11th place could mean Europe. The Hammers are seven points behind Brentford, so it is not insurmountable. On the youngsters, I can see the merit, especially towards the end of the campaign, but who? Ollie Scarles and Lewis Orford seem to be the most advanced of those at the club but they are on the fringes of the first-team anyway. George Earthy has huge promise but he is on loan, as is Callum Marshall and Gideon Kodua. I will come to the atmosphere issue later in this Q&A.

Come back later later where Simon will be discussing the impact of the atmosphere at the London Stadium.

Lille midfielder Angel Gomes has rejected an approach by West Ham United, despite the Premier League club offering him a £100,000-a-week contract to join when his current contract expires this summer. (Guardian), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

James Jones
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham are at a really weird stage in the season.

We are 17 points above the bottom three and therefore can safely say there is no danger of going down.

Meanwhile, we are 10 points adrift of the top half. With nine games remaining, we would have to go on a really impressive run of form and hope that all the teams above us drop points if we are to secure a top-10 finish.

So all we can hope for is a finish between 11th and 16th. It means, prize money aside, we have absolutely nothing left to play for.

As a result, most fans' attention is already on the summer. Graham Potter has done a good job in improving the team defensively since he took over at the beginning of the year, but in attack there are so many concerns.

An improved defence means there is a good foundation for Potter to build on in the summer window, but we are all excited to see what moves are made to improve the other side of the team.

Evan Ferguson has so far failed to have an impact since joining from Brighton on loan in January, so there will no doubt be at least one striker signed. Then there is the big question marks around Mohammed Kudus' form and whether he should be sold in the summer as a result. If he is sold, then that is another position Potter will need to strengthen.

That is all before the midfield is looked at, because that is another issue that is surely contributing to our issues in front of goal at the moment.

So while there is nothing left for West Ham to play for this campaign, there remains an element of excitement for what the future holds. We have seen enough green shoots of progress to suggest Potter can be a success in east London.

It just all rests on the summer and the summer cannot come quickly enough.

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

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Such was the length of the more than one hour Morning Live interview with Michail Antonio, that many bits didn't make the final cut.

In the hour-long, exclusive interview, Antonio revealed that a change of manager at West Ham shortly after his crash deeply affected him and led to his search for more therapy.

The 34-year-old striker is also certain he will be back playing his best football but wants to take his time during his recovery to avoid and setbacks.

In part of the interview that didn't make the final cut, Antonio revealed how much support West Ham have given him since the crash in December, which saw him shatter his femur bone in four places.

"The support they gave me, on and off the field, the hospitals, the specialists, everything that they sorted out for me, it was unbelievable," he said.

"I just have to thank the club and the fans and everybody else to be fair, the emergency services, everyone around the world to be fair. Because everything that they did, the support that they gave me, was beautiful."

A recap of what West Ham helped Antonio with is below:

• West Ham raised money for the emergency services.

• Players paid tribute to Antonio by wearing his number nine shirt to warm up after the crash.

• The club looked after his medical bills and recovery.

• The Hammers put him up in a hotel near the hospital when needing to make regular visits to a specialist.

• He was allowed a break in Dubai to see overseas specialists and do some rehabilitation in a warmer climate.

• They also hosted him at the recent Newcastle home match where he was given a warm reception walking out onto the pitch.

"It was beautiful, to be fair, and Jarrod scored, he lifted my shirt up, it was a great feeling," Antonio continued. "It showed it was just more love. There was just so much love going around.

"And everybody loves, love. A good six, seven weeks afterwards, the West Ham fans were just singing my name at every single game, even though I was stuck up in the hospital or in the hotel."

And when asked about coming back to the London Stadium for that Newcastle match, Antonio added: "I've been more of an emotional man, so when I went out there, I just felt the love from the fans and stuff.

"I couldn't control it. And the craziest part is, as I was walking out, I saw one of the media girls, Sophie, and she was saying, 'I'm going to cry'. I heard it and I don't think she wanted me to hear it but I heard it. And as she said it, I could see in her eyes.

"I was like, 'Oh my god. Why did I have to look at you?' Because it was setting me off. And as I was walking out, and then I heard the fans, like, my legs started shaking. It was just, it was a great experience."

Image source, Getty Images

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

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Tony: A game we didn't look like scoring in but yet again we found a way. Jake O'Brien is a fixture in this team now- thanks to David Moyes. He reads the game so well. It bodes well and he is surely a future centre-half legend. Easy next five games to keep this run going!

Danny: Lacking attacking threat and didn't make much of the ball going forward when we had our spells of possession. Beto was never really in the game for us and we failed to get him going and create chances. When West Ham had their spells of possession, they always looked the more dangerous and capitalised with a worthy 1-0 lead. Everton were ultimately fortunate to get a late equaliser in a game that lacked intensity from both teams.

Andy: Back to normal Everton. Plenty of possession work but leave it to the defenders to get the goal. Somebody cheer Beto up so he scores again.

Shez: Did just fine. Just need Iliman Ndiaye, Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin back. A bit of imagination! Bring on the summer! Mohammed Kudus class for West Ham.

West Ham fans

Stephen: Probably a fair result. Defensively better but let down by a lacklustre midfield with too many poor passes and lack of energy. Having said that, it's a hard-fought point.

Steve: Thought it was a fairly even game without too many good chances from either side but, for me, Lucas Paqueta is just a liability. He constantly loses the ball, makes stupid unnecessary fouls, and is always throwing himself to the ground as if poleaxed. Get rid.

Vic: Getting better game by game and once the dead wood has been cut out, this team will flourish under Graham Potter.

David: So far the defence is unrecognisable from when Potter took over but we have to be more robust and not get pushed back. That said, a hard earned point. Well done!

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham striker Michail Antonio feels he is in a "good place" after being given "another chance at life" following his horrifying car crash in December.

On Saturday, 7 December, the 34-year-old was travelling back from training in difficult weather conditions before his Ferrari struck a tree.

The incident, which Antonio can remember "nothing" about, left the Hammers' record Premier League goalscorer in hospital for more than three weeks with a broken leg - and facing a gruelling journey back to fitness.

However, the Jamaica international is "100%" confident he will play football again.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with presenter Helen Skelton on BBC Morning Live, Antonio said: "I'm in a good place. I'm three months ahead of where I should be.

"I've lifted 130kg on the leg and I'm trying to do other things and just focus on myself, so it is definitely a good place right now. And mentally I am in a good place too.

"That [recovery] is what I am focused on and why I am working six days a week. I've always been positive from this situation. It's a horrendous accident, and it's a massive injury.

"It's the biggest injury I've ever had in my career. But the fact that I'm already two to three months ahead of where I should be, I know that I'll play again, and I know that once I'm playing the game I'll get the sharpness back."

Three weeks ago, Antonio went to see the remains of his car at the scrapyard.

"It gave me a weird feeling in my stomach. It just made me realise how close I was to dying. I had seen the pictures but it was 10 times worse in person. The car was an absolute mess. It was difficult for me," he said.

"The most difficult part is that I almost wasn't there for my children.

"It's just made me happy, positive about life, because I've got another chance at life."

Antonio has spoken about how therapy helped him cope with the death of his father and break-up of his previous marriage, which meant he struggled to celebrate West Ham's Conference League win in 2023.

When asked how he would have reacted to the crash had he not previously had therapy, he says: "I wouldn't have processed it at all, or what I would have done would be to push it down and been angry or aggressive.

"Since the crash, I've been more emotional than I have ever been in my life, but I feel like it's better. Therapy is one of the best things that's happened to me in my life."

Read more from Antonio's interview

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.

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

Listen back to match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Ipswich 2-4 Nottingham Forest

• Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham boss Graham Potter, speaking to BBC Sport: "It's football sometimes. When the environment turns here and the game changes as a result it's difficult

"Overall a strong performance, it is what it is.

"We were thinking about it [bringing off Tomas Soucek before his goal]. We were making some adjustments. That's Tomas for you - pops in with the goals and defends boxes really well.

"We defended really well. I can't remember any chances they had. It was more pressure from their fans and balls into the box.

"We've had to be that way because of where we were to start with. It's a good point against a team in a good place.

"Every game is really important for us. We need to focus and go for the three points in every game."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of West Ham's display?

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