'Exasperation among the fans might turn to worry'published at 14:22 11 November
14:22 11 November
Mark Scott Final Score reporter at London Stadium
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This was a truly dire game that really reflected the apathy around West Ham at the moment.
The first half felt like an example of what many have been saying about the Hammers' lack of identity under Julen Lopetegui, who also appeared to struggle to get his messages across to the players in-game from the dugout, as he frantically called for more urgency.
While there was an improvement in that aspect after the break, I do not think it was the kind of performance that will quell the whispers about his position being in a fair amount of peril.
Based on Saturday's struggles at home to an Everton not exactly cooking on gas themselves, the exasperation among the fans might turn to worry with games against Newcastle and Arsenal coming next.
'Lopetegui needs to improve and fast'published at 13:27 11 November
13:27 11 November
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BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.
Joe asked: West Ham were woeful again this weekend. Despite spending over £100m in the summer, they are worse than they were last season (which wasn’t great!). Do you think Julen Lopetegui will be sacked this week?
Phil answered: No, I don't think Lopetegui will be sacked this week. West Ham’s owners are not known for being trigger happy when it comes to managers - and you suspect he might also need a hefty pay-off having only been there a matter of months.
There is no doubt, though, that there has not been any sort of improvement on David Moyes despite that big summer outlay and the West Ham natives are already restless. He needs to improve and fast.
What I never got was the notion that Lopetegui would be producing his own version of 'heavy metal football' after the perceived pragmatism of Moyes. He never has and he never will.
It was almost a case of anyone but Moyes by the end. I agree Moyes' time at West Ham had run its natural course - never forget he won a European trophy in that time - but I was never convinced Lopetegui would be a serious upgrade.
West Ham 0-0 Everton - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:01 11 November
09:01 11 November
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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between West Ham and Everton.
Here are some of your comments:
West Ham fans
Jayden: First half - once again so, so poor. They must start better. The performance was criminally bad. The changes certainly helped, but the clumsy and tepid play must stop. No ideas and no pace. Bowen and Somerville can be excused. He should start Ings and use Antonio as the late joker. Ings can't do any worse. Long, hard season ahead of us.
Graza: One of the worst games of football I've ever watched. I've seen worse performances from individual teams, but rarely two together to produce such a spineless, insipid, waste of time. For West Ham's part, no-one wanted the ball. Several times, at throw-ins or when we were up the pitch, everyone was hiding behind a defender trying not to get involved. Gutless.
Mark: One of the dullest games I've ever watched and I'm a season ticket-holder so have watched a few. Manager has to go. He has had zero impact. We have no shape, pass sideways and players are always picking up the ball standing still.
Everton fans
Tony: Dire and lacking any cohesion, Calvert-Lewin and Doucoure are past their sell-by date. Lindstrom is Championship standard. Dyche has no idea what to do any more. Hope the ownership is settled soon so we can get some fresh blood in at the top.
Gladys: The headlines will be that it was a good point away from home but, yet again, Dyche continues to show how out of his depth he is. This was a good opportunity to go and fight for a win, but it seems like Dyche only ever sets up for 0-0 draws. Time to go.
Gary: Hard-fought point with Pickford saving our blushes. West Ham substitutions definitely made them more threatening and thanks to Jordan's great saves we did not lose. As for our substitutes, too late and same old, same old. Sorry, Mr Dyche, but tactically you just don't have it.
Catch up on the Premier League actionpublished at 11:58 10 November
11:58 10 November
Highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures.
West Ham 0-0 Everton: Too little, too late from Hammers published at 17:57 9 November
17:57 9 November
Matthew Howarth BBC Sport journalist
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West Ham fans of a more generous disposition may view a goalless draw at home to Everton as a step in the right direction - particularly after the Hammers' debacle at Nottingham Forest last weekend.
For much of the first half at London Stadium, though, Julen Lopetegui's team looked in real danger of slipping to a sixth league defeat of the campaign.
Everton - hardly world-beaters themselves - carried much more of a threat in the final third, but other than efforts from Iliman Ndiaye and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski had little to do.
The Hammers' first attempt of the afternoon came in the 44th minute, when Jarrod Bowen's powerful drive was tipped past the near post by Jordan Pickford.
It was the first of five smart saves by the England international goalkeeper, who denied the home side a last-gasp victory by keeping out Danny Ings' deflected drive deep into second-half stoppage time.
The full-time whistle was met by boos by the West Ham fans, who can be forgiven for questioning where the next three points are going to come from.
Lopetegui's side travel to Newcastle after the international break before hosting Arsenal in their final game of November.
'We had more clear chances to win the game'published at 17:51 9 November
17:51 9 November
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Julen Lopetegui spoke to BBC Match of the Day after West Ham's draw against Everton: “We had more chances than them. In the second half, we had more clear chances to win the game.
“The first half was a gift for them. We lost 45 minutes. In the second half we did better, we were aggressive and had chances to win.
“The matches aren’t about 45 minutes. They are 90 minutes and [stoppage] time. That’s why I’m not happy, for sure. I think we can, and have to, do better.
“I can’t complain about the behaviour of the players in the second half. They were brave and they were aggressive.
“Pickford was one of their best players. Sometimes, it can happen that you don’t score. The positive thing is the clean sheet.”
Sutton's predictions: West Ham v Evertonpublished at 09:26 9 November
09:26 9 November
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 11 he takes on Mylee and Tate from CBBC football drama Jamie Johnson FC (JJFC).
Sutton's prediction: 2-2
West Ham are in trouble. As I said on the Monday Night Club, they don't really have an identity under Julen Lopetegui.
He has always been a pragmatic manager in my eyes but they want to be a more expansive side and he is stuck somewhere in between at the moment.
There is a lot of uncertainty around them at present, and I am certainly not convinced by them at home. They beat Manchester United there a couple of weeks ago, but they were lucky to win that one.
While the Hammers are still above Everton in the table, the Toffees’ had been in better form, but then they lost at struggling Southampton last week, which is a disappointing defeat whichever way you look at it.
The only team Everton have beaten away this season is Ipswich, so I would not feel confident backing them to bounce back with a win here.
I don't want to pick another draw, but this has got one written all over it.
Mylee's prediction: 2-0
I am definitely backing my team here!
Tate's prediction: 1-2
I played for West Ham but they have had a few defeats recently so Everton might edge this.
'We have to learn and to change the future'published at 08:14 9 November
08:14 9 November
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West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has spoken about his side giving the opposition an "advantage" when they have players sent off.
Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez have both been shown red cards in the league this season and both matches ended in defeat for the Hammers, who are 14th with three wins from 10 games.
Kudus is serving a five-game ban after being given an extra two matches by the Football Association for his conduct following his dismissal against Tottenham last month.
Lopetegui said: "We have to try not to give the opponent different advantages that we can avoid - for example, the red cards.
"We can do better in a lot of moments of the match. If you want to compete in the Premier League, the first step is to try to be consistent.
"We need to have better answers in the moments- more calm, better decisions. This [Kudus' red card] was unacceptable, and we have to try to avoid this kind of action. He knows. But this is part of the past.
"These two players are not going to play Saturday. I prefer to focus on the players who are going to be ready to face Everton."
Alvarez begins a two-match ban after he was shown his second red card of the season during last weekend's defeat at Nottingham Forest.
The Mexico midfielder has been sent off twice in his past three starts for the Hammers and is the first player to be dismissed two times for West Ham in a season since Aaron Cresswell in the 2021-22 campaign.
"Of course, both talked and apologised to me and to the team. Both know that they were wrong. This is clear - but it is done," Lopetegui continued.
"We have to learn and to change the future. The past you can never change. You have to focus on changing the future.”
Gossip: Arsenal consider Steidten to replace Edupublished at 07:14 8 November
West Ham have conceded at least once in each of their past 14 Premier League home games, the longest ongoing run of any side, and the Hammers' longest ever in the competition. They last failed to keep a clean sheet in more consecutive top-flight home games between December 1964 and October 1965 (16).
West Ham have conceded 15 goals in the opening 15 minutes of Premier League games so far in 2024, the most any side have conceded in a single calendar year in the competition. Five of those have come so far this season, a joint-league high, along with Ipswich.
Lopetegui on Fulkrug's recovery, Kudus and Evertonpublished at 14:03 7 November
14:03 7 November
Josh Lobley BBC Sport Researcher
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Everton (kick-off 15:00)
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Loptegui confirmed that Niclas Fullkrug is still unavailable for selection: "Fullkrug isn't ready. He isn't working with us and is going to be out for more time unfortunately. We have to check other issues tomorrow."
He gave more detail on the recovery process: "He has a little injury that step by step is more complicated. With the new treatment, he has to be out for the next two or three weeks but I don't know exactly. It depends how he responds to the treatment."
He did not want to dwell on the extended ban for forward Mohammed Kudus: "It's not good news but we have to accept it. I prefer to focus on the players who will play on Saturday."
On whether he has had conversations with the West Ham hierarchy about the club's poor form: "I don't need to. I know that we are going to improve in a lot of things and overcome. We have the commitment of the players."
On his messages to his players: "We talk a lot and they know we have to put the focus on competing better. We have big trust and confidence in the players. We don't want to put the focus on [unavailable] players like Fullkrug, Kudus and Edson [Alvarez].
On his opponents: "I have seen a very good team when I look at them. They look better than last year in my opinion. They have a good team and a coach who knows the Premier League very well. It's a very balanced and complete team."
'Just not a good fit' - West Ham fans on managerpublished at 12:42 7 November
12:42 7 November
Image source, PA Media
We asked for one thing involving West Ham that people are not talking about but should be.
Here are some of your comments:
Brendan: I honestly don't think that Julen Lopetegui and West Ham are a good fit. Lopetegui will probably go on to have success, but not at West Ham. Some things can't be communicated or forced, they simply need to flow, especially at a club like West Ham. Find a way to tweak tradition and you'll find the key to West Ham's evolution.
Dazza: It's pretty clear that our new manager does not yet know his first choice starting XI and therefore by definition he does not have a set strategy or plan for the team. Disaster looms
Tarquin: Although we bought so many new decent players that would improve our first team in the summer, Lopetegui just isn't giving them enough minutes. He's sticking with the same old team that struggled in the second half of the season last year. Why is he still starting Michail Antonio? He's old, slow, tired and can't take his man on anymore.
Jan: No one has said why we have loaned James Ward-Prowse out to Nottingham Forest. Ward-Prowse was one of our most influential players last season. None of the new midfield recruits have shown themselves better than Prowsey. Also Aguerd was loaned out with no replacement coming in!
Tyler: We are not talking about how we won't invest in a decent proven manager. We need that boost to get to the top six again. David Moyes was decent but we need a proven consistent trophy-winner like Jose Mourinho.
Arlo: Over recent years we've had a fantastic academy, with our under-18s even winning the FA Youth Cup in 2022-23. Despite this, I cannot think of a recent youth player bar Declan Rice getting a look in with the senior team. It's like we refuse to utilise our own talents! We even spent £25m on a youngster from Brazil who has only played four minutes!
What's the one thing nobody is talking about?published at 18:45 6 November
18:45 6 November
West Ham and manager Julen Lopetegui are under scrutiny after a difficult start to the season while star forward Mohammed Kudus has had his ban increased to five games after being sent off against Tottenham last month.
Plenty of ink has been spilled on the Hammers' struggles, but you know your club best.
What is the one thing nobody is talking about at West Ham - good or bad?
Kudus banned for further two games and Hammers finedpublished at 16:34 6 November
16:34 6 November
Image source, PA Media
West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus has received a further two-match suspension after admitting a Football Association charge relating to his red card in last month's Premier League defeat at Tottenham.
It was alleged Kudus "acted in an improper manner and/or used violent conduct after the offence that he was sent off for" and, in addition to his extended ban, he has been fined £60,000.
Kudus had been involved in a clash with Spurs defender Micky van de Ven, for which he was sent off following a VAR review, leading to a three-match ban.
The Hammers have also been fined £30,000 after admitting a charge of "failing to ensure their players did not behave in an improper and/or provocative and/or violent way".
West Ham said in a statement: "Whilst the club is disappointed with the outcome, it respects the process that has been undertaken."
Sparks flypublished at 18:31 5 November
18:31 5 November
Henry Brownsey BBC Sport journalist
There were bits of wizardry.
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From magical players.
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There were rockets.
Image source, Getty Images
And bangers.
Image source, Getty Images
Landmarks.
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And clangers.
Image source, Getty Images
While some Guy's like Ruud are always remembered.
Image source, Getty Images
Do West Ham have a 'worse version' of Moyes in Lopetegui?published at 10:55 5 November
10:55 5 November
New York Times journalist Rory Smith feels West Ham fans believe the Hammers have appointed a "worse version" of former manager David Moyes in current boss Julen Lopetegui, after the side picked up 11 points from their first 10 Premier League games.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Smith said: "If they had gone and got Thiago Motta from Bologna - who was playing an exciting brand of football with a side built on a budget - and the results and performances had been exactly the same, I don't think West Ham fans would be putting him under any pressure whatsoever.
"It's the fact they can tell that they have got a worse version of what they had before, with all of the bits they didn't like about David Moyes.
"The West Ham fans were saying they didn't like the style of football in the year they won the Conference League. Their complaints about David Moyes' football were consistent. They never changed."
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