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Who 'loves to defend'?published at 17:18 23 January
17:18 23 January
Every so often, a player is described by a pundit as someone who "loves to defend".
Most fans would naturally welcome such a sort in their team, that player who stands tall, lets stuff bounce off him and somehow masters the ability to become a magnet to the ball when it enters the penalty area.
BBC Sport took a look at three metrics this season - headed clearances, blocks and tackles - to see which players seem to relish this kind of thing.
Everton's James Tarkowski leads the way, amassing a total of 131 across the three areas, with Brentford's Nathan Collins second. The two men have made 73 headed clearances each, a stat that proves their value when it comes to defending dead balls.
Murillo - fresh from his contract extension at Nottingham Forest - was highlighted in recent weeks for a no-nonsense display against Liverpool, when he frequently launched clearances into the night. He makes the top three across these metrics and while Brazilian players are so often lauded for their flair, he can proudly carry the 'loves-to-defend' tag.
Gossip: Hammers want Dutch youngster Banzuzipublished at 07:13 23 January
07:13 23 January
West Ham are in negotiations with Belgian club Leuven for 19-year-old Dutch midfielder Ezechiel Banzuzi. (Standard, external)
Meanwhile, Hammers technical director Tim Steidten's future at the club is in doubt after the Hammers finalised a deal to bring in Chelsea recruitment analyst Kyle Macaulay, who has previously worked with manager Graham Potter. (Guardian, external)
Gossip: West Ham to give Potter two signings before deadlinepublished at 07:26 22 January
07:26 22 January
West Ham are keen to back new manager Graham Potter with new additions at centre-back and centre-forward before the transfer deadline on 3 February. (Football Insider, external)
'This is not a call for patience - it is a call for common sense'published at 12:26 21 January
12:26 21 January
James Jones Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Three games into Graham Potter's West Ham reign and despite losing two of them, we have already seen some real positives to cling to as a fanbase.
Things are not perfect - but expecting perfection just three games and less than two weeks into a new manager's appointment would be deluded, not least with an ongoing injury crisis to contend with at the same time.
Saturday's home defeat by Crystal Palace was met with boos, moans and groans in some corners of London Stadium, and I cannot help but wonder what those fans were expecting at this stage.
First, Crysencio Summerville, Jarrod Bowen, Michail Antonio and Niclas Fullkrug are all injured. Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta are both being played out of position as a result.
Secondly, after three games in eight days, Potter has probably spent more time travelling to and from games than he has on the training pitch working with his players.
Lastly, this squad - or what is left of it - needs bad habits and bad tactics coaching out of it after six months of poor form and performances under Julen Lopetegui.
This is still Lopetegui's West Ham team and Potter has done his best with what he has inherited.
With a fully fit squad and with some time on the training pitch, I have no doubt performances will vastly improve. That is not the reality of the situation, though, is it?
So this is not a call for patience. It is a call for common sense. Accept the situation as it is and know Potter has barely got started as West Ham boss.
Chelsea analyst set to join Potter at West Hampublished at 14:26 20 January
14:26 20 January
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
West Ham are in advanced talks to reunite Chelsea analyst Kyle Macauley with Graham Potter.
A deal is expected to be completed this week as negotiations about an exit package move in the right direction, according to sources at both clubs.
Chelsea say goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts is key at the club and won't be re-joining Potter, having been brought to Stamford Bridge by the club's former manager.
Roberts serves as both a goalkeeper coach for Enzo Maresca and advises sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart on all goalkeeping transfers.
West Ham 0-2 Crystal Palace - the fans' verdictpublished at 11:17 20 January
11:17 20 January
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between West Ham and Crystal Palace.
Here are some of your comments:
West Ham fans:
Mike: Very poor first half where we looked slow, tired and lethargic. Much improved second until the penalty. We desperately need a striker and to also give the two young academy lads and Guillerme a regular start as they lifted the team by playing quicker, easier on the eye football. I think it is out with the old and in with the new if we want to avoid a relegation dog fight.
Mooro: Appalling, the worst performance ever, devoid of any attacking threat, hamstrung by Potter's mega-negative line-up and an immobile midfield. I thought Lopetegui was bad but...
Nilesh: Easily the worst game I've seen from West Ham in a long time and that's saying something. Somehow we need to get to the end of the season unscathed and for tough calls to be made. Mavrapanos, Alvarez and Soucek will need to go if we want a change in style. Doesn't matter who the manager is, you can't improve if you have players down the middle who are frightened to ask for the ball.
Mick: The miracle in midweek was replaced by the reality of the weekend. That Palace were so much better than us was frightening. Truly shocking performance. Over 190 minutes played now and only eight shots on goal, with three against Fulham, on target. Terrible statistic. Great to see the young boys finally get a chance, but this team is a relegation candidate. We need Ward-Prowse back, a proper striker and another defender. Mavrapanos is NOT a Premier League player. The only positive today is that he must miss a match. Potter is a good appointment but he isn't Harry and doesn't have a magic wand. No more points this month.
Crystal Palace fans:
Al: Solid at the back. How many go to West Ham and prevent West Ham getting a shot on target? Lacroix is the bargain of the season. Team playing with a self belief and JP "boom boom" Mateta is back on form. Up to 12th and the team has momentum. Long may it continue.
Lloyd: First game of the season where watching I thought Palace were going to win from first whistle. West Ham looked really sluggish and it was only a matter of time before we scored. A little disappointed in JP for not letting Eddie take the penalty. However very happy with the away win and three points.
Rich: Complete performance today. We looked so comfortable all day. Mateta was excellent, Kamada and Hughes bossed the midfield first half. Back three were so solid. The Leicester victory has given the team confidence. Glasner has the players playing and believing, great win.
Jerry: As comfortable a win as you're likely to get in the Premier league. Defensively we were very solid. Dean didn't have one shot to save the entire afternoon. That was a good foundation to give our attacking players. Mateta was once again a real handful for them. He took his first goal really well. A very professional away performance; hard working, and a real team effort. I always felt we were in control.
'One of West Ham's most turgid performances'published at 08:03 20 January
08:03 20 January
Will Perry Final Score reporter
Image source, Getty Images
West Ham fans have witnessed some dross over the years at the London Stadium but that defeat against Crystal Palace has to be up there with one of the most turgid performances from their side.
It shows you just how big a job Graham Potter has on his hands to revitalise the club and how much they are missing Jarrod Bowen's creativity.
West Ham offered diddly-squat going forward - for the second time this season, failing to record a shot on target in a Premier League home game - with Lukasz Fabianski and the back three experiment not doing them any favours either.
Yes, they've got some breathing space to the relegation zone but back to back away trips to Aston Villa and Potter's old stomping ground Stamford Bridge could ramp up the heat, with the three points they were gifted by Fulham perhaps papering over some serious cracks in East London.
West Ham 0-2 Crystal Palace: More misery for the Hammers at homepublished at 18:40 18 January
18:40 18 January
Marissa Thomas BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Hammers fans have not experienced much joy when watching their side at the London Stadium this season.
They were below-par against a Crystal Palace side who didn't have to get out of second gear.
For the second time this season, West Ham failed to record a shot on target in a Premier League home game (also against Liverpool in December). It's the first time since the 2005-06 campaign that they have failed to do so on multiple occasions at home in a top-flight season (v Arsenal and Wigan).
There was nothing for home fans to cheer about as their side went behind in the 48th minute. It is the 10th goal West Ham have conceded in the first 15 minutes of the second half in Premier League games this season - more than any other club except Leicester.
The Hammers haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last 18 Premier League home games against fellow London sides (38 goals conceded), since beating Tottenham 1-0 back in October 2021.
Graham Potter has a lot to work on at West Ham and he would do well to make defensive solidity top of that list.
'The better team won'published at 17:50 18 January
17:50 18 January
Image source, Getty Images
West Ham boss Graham Potter speaking to BBC Match of the Day after today's defeat: "It was a disappointing day for us. The game looked like it was a game too far in a long week for us.
"We're disappointed with the result of course, and the performance. We weren't able to show our quality. I thought we had a bit more impetus when the young lads came on but we have to learn and improve."
On what went wrong: "I don't think we could ever really get full control in the game. We struggled to create and sustain as many attacks as we would like. The better team won on the day and we have a lot to improve and we will do that by sticking together.
"To arrive in January, it means things haven't gone as planned and that's where our job is. We want to show a bit more in front of our home fans. It's up to us to try and improve."
Sutton's predictions: West Ham v Crystal Palacepublished at 11:16 18 January
11:16 18 January
New West Ham boss Graham Potter got a win in his first home game, against Fulham on Tuesday, but I thought the Hammers got away with one a little bit there.
The safe bet here would be to go for a draw - but I am not going to do that.
Instead, I am going for a Crystal Palace away win, to continue their recent improvement.
West Ham v Crystal Palace: Did you know?published at 11:04 17 January
11:04 17 January
Image source, Getty Images
Following their 2-0 win at Selhurst Park in August, West Ham are looking to complete the Premier League double over Crystal Palace for the first time since 2016-17.
Potter on Summerville's fitness, Paqueta and Antoniopublished at 14:11 16 January
14:11 16 January
Josh Lobley BBC Sport Journalist
West Ham boss Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Potter says they will have to make a "late decision" on Crysencio Summerville's availability for Saturday's match. He added that there is "nothing problematic long-term" within the rest of the squad.
He gave the latest update on Michail Antonio: "I think he was due in today [Thursday]. I had a really good chat with him on the phone and he's doing well. It would be nice to see him."
Potter was reluctant to comment on any transfer speculation, adding that January is a "complicated window".
When asked if he expects any outgoings this month, he said: "I'm happy with the squad and approach of the players. For me, it's been about trying to get to know them. I'm really happy with the response."
On Saturday's opponents: "They're in a good place, certainly away from home. [Jean-Philippe] Mateta, [Eberechi] Eze and [Ismaila] Sarr as the front three, they have adapted really well to losing a top player like [Michael] Olise."
When asked where he wants to play Lucas Paqueta in his side: "He is a player that needs to feel how important he is to the team. You don't have to pin him down to one specific role; he can do lots of things because he is that talented."
'They are going to be a tough team to face'published at 14:29 15 January
14:29 15 January
Image source, Getty Images
West Ham have been a bit of a mess this season and Graham Potter has a fair bit of work to do. Some of the results have been OK but others have been catastrophic.
They have the players to do so, but there has been no confidence or belief, so Potter has got to find a way to turn that around.
Tuesday's home win over Fulham is a good place to start, especially given their growing injury list. But if you were a Fulham fan you would probably feel a little aggrieved that you left the stadium with nothing as they were for the most part the better side.
However, football is a results business and three points on the board for Potter is a fine start. His sincerity has already come across in the media and that will help to get fans on board because Julen Lopetegui never really looked to be that interested in getting involved.
The main question for me, is how is Potter going to get the best out of Lucas Paqueta, Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen? If he can solve that and get them firing, then their form will pick up.
Potter is a very intelligent manager and after a period away from the game he comes to East London fresh and ready for a new challenge. He also probably feels as though he has a point to prove following his time at Chelsea and that he can manage a club for the long term.
That is only good news for West Ham because it means their manager is giving it his all.
I can see them being a tough team to face for this second half of the season.
Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford
