West Ham have approached Napoli over a January deal for 29-year-old Argentina forward Giovanni Simeone. (FootballTransfers), external
The Hammers are also considering a move for 20-year-old Brighton and Republic of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson. (FootballTransfers), external
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked you to tell us one thing - good or bad - that nobody is talking about at West Ham.
Here are some of your comments:
Jake: Young players. There has been a significant lack of academy players breaking into the first team in the last three to five years. Debuts have been handed to some under-21 players in cup games, but apart from that, no one has broken into the first team and stayed there. There’s been hardly any players on the bench this season that the club has developed.
Nidge: As good as Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been this season for West Ham, is he competing for the same space on the pitch as Jarrod Bowen? Bowen has been so successful in cutting onto his left from the right side after Vladimir Coufal had overlapped in previous seasons, are we taking away one of our greatest strengths when Wan-Bissaka underlaps?
Joe: Watching West Ham on Monday night was a complete joy - a committed performance just as we needed it. The one thing I couldn't help but notice is that we had the oldest player in the Premier League starting in goal. Lukasz Fabianski has been a great servant, but let's look into a younger upgrade - someone who has good distribution to start those attacks.
Mike: No one is talking about the fact that we have the most talented squad we've possibly ever had. Once the key is found (and it may have been at Newcastle) then this group has the potential to be very, very good. The manager has taken the flak but we have a lot of new players and it has just taken a while for them to adapt.
Michael: The team and manager are under a lot of pressure after a poor start to the season, but West Ham are just four points off Spurs in sixth. It is a season of transition in terms of manager, players and style, and it may take time to find consistency, but maybe things are not as bad as they seem.
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal have lost just one of their past 16 Premier League away games against West Ham (winning 10 and drawing five), winning this fixture 6-0 last season.
Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesRewarding the 3,000 West Ham fans who made the 600-mile round trip to Newcastle on Monday night, knowing they would not get home until the early hours, was priceless for Julen Lopetegui.
Any club’s away supporters are the true barometer of backing for a manager and after the three-goal hammering at Nottingham Forest on 2 November, Lopetegui needed to get them back on side.
West Ham delivered their best performance of the season at St James’ Park. This was a deserved win, unlike their last success, against Manchester United, which even club officials accepted was only possible because the visitors failed to take a ridiculous number of excellent first-half chances.
The Hammers were solid enough at the back. Carlos Soler was excellent in midfield on only his second Premier League start. Lucas Paqueta was something like his old self, Jarrod Bowen was a threat and Michail Antonio a battering ram in attack.
Lopetegui’s problems have not gone away, but they can approach Saturday’s visit of Arsenal to the London Stadium with some degree of confidence. After that comes meetings with struggling Leicester City and Lopetegui’s former club Wolves.
If West Ham can put some positive results together, instead of being top of the teams at the bottom of the table, they would be firmly in the mid-table mix and eyeing a European berth.
Should results go the other way, Lopetegui will be under fire again.
The Newcastle effort was no more than a single win. Lopetegui cannot afford it to be an isolated good day.
Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal (kick-off 17:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
In terms of injury news, there are "two or three little problems" that will need to be assessed again tomorrow morning. He did not want to name the players who are currently doubts, adding: "I'm positive that all of them can be ready, but let's see."
Lopetegui will serve a touchline ban this weekend, after picking up three yellow cards, but insisted that it will not have an impact on the team's performance: "It is about the players on the pitch and on the bench, who are ready to help the team to be able to compete against the best team in the Premier League, in my opinion."
Arsenal will present a "big challenge" for the Hammers because they have "incredible players and a very good coach". He added that his players will "be ready" to meet the "very high demands" of the game.
On Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta: "He was a big player in England. Now he has a fantastic career as a coach and he is managing Arsenal in a fantastic way. They have two teams, with top players, so we have to be ready but always put the focus back on ourselves and believe in ourselves to compete."
He praised the supporters for always giving the players "help and support" at London Stadium: "This extra energy and extra step is something that we always need. They are going to help us to be better."
West Ham are just four points outside the European football qualification spots, but he stressed his side are not thinking about "where we are now" but instead they are thinking about "where we can be in the next four months", with the focus being on their position at the end of the season.
He added: "A lot of things are going to happen in this season, for a lot of teams. We have to be ready to compete, to be better and better every match."
On the upcoming busy festive period, he joked he will be taking it "step by step, day by day".
Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
After a difficult start to life under Julen Lopetegui, West Ham produced their best performance of the season in Monday's 2-0 win at Newcastle.
While the pressure is still on the Spanish manager, especially with the upcoming visit of Arsenal, promising signs were shown at St James' Park.
Much has been said about the summer signings and lack of striker options at London Stadium but you know your club the best.
So what you have spotted - good or bad - that nobody seems to be talking about?
Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist
As Ed Sheeran made some headlines this week.
Image source, Getty ImagesManchester United fans hope Ruben Amorim will be 'The Man' but he was hoping for more points than just 'One'.
Image source, Getty ImagesLeicester are looking for a 'New Man' as Cooper's reign lasted 157 days.
Image source, Getty ImagesWolves' ended their 'Bad Habits' with their first away win since February.
Image source, Getty ImagesTottenham achieved a nearly 'Perfect' performance and an even better 'Photograph'.
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool fans wonder what life could be like without the 'Shape of You'.
Image source, Getty ImagesDespite Alexander Isak not asking the Newcastle fans to 'Give me Love' they clearly showed that they 'Remember the Name.'
Image source, Getty ImagesAnd the Toon Army will be hoping Monday's loss was just a 'Small Bump'.
Image source, Getty ImagesJames Jones
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesReports last week claimed Julen Lopetegui had just two games to save his job at West Ham and everyone just came to the conclusion that it was a matter of when, not if, the club opted to make a change.
Having to orchestrate wins against both Newcastle and Arsenal wouldn't fill many mangers with much confidence of turning things around in time. But somehow, Lopetegui has passed half the test.
Monday night's victory over Newcastle at St. James' Park wasn't just a win, it appeared to be the turning point everyone was so desperate to see. That's because West Ham deserved the victory. It wasn't a lucky win, like the one against Manchester United a few weeks ago.
West Ham worked harder, ran further and showed more desire than they have all season. The decision to play Carlos Soler alongside Tomas Soucek and Lucas Paqueta in midfield worked a treat, with the Spaniard impressive in the No.10 role. Aaron Wan-Bissaka's role as a forward thinking right-back finally seemed to make sense after months of everyone wondering what on earth Lopetegui was trying to do.
Against Newcastle it all just clicked. There was a tactical plan, an identity and a purpose to our approach. The players actually looked like they knew what they were on the pitch to do and they showed hunger to do it.
But it is just one game. The most important thing now is to build on that this weekend against Arsenal. The Gunners will pose a completely different and far more difficult challenge to Newcastle but if we play and defend like we did against the Magpies, another London derby thrashing no longer looks the formality it did a few days ago.
If the performance is good but we lose, I think we'll still be able to count that as proof things are beginning to fall into place.
What does it mean for Lopetegui's future? Well, it'll buy him more time. Perhaps that's all he needs to be a success in east London.
It all hangs in the performance against Arsenal. A result would be a bonus, but we're just looking for another performance for now.
Find more from James Jones at We Are West Ham, external
Image source, PA MediaFormer Newcastle and West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about the Hammers' 2-0 win at St James' Park on Monday:
"West Ham got the goals just at the right time. Newcastle were on top but they got a fantastic corner from Emerson and Tomas Soucek pops up in the box with a fantastic header.
"They seemed to ride the wave of Newcastle attacks. Newcastle missed big opportunities and that's what you need - when you're down there, struggling a bit and you haven't found your mojo, you need those moments of luck.
"West Ham got it, but I thought they were excellent in the second half. It was a great night for West Ham and a poor one for Newcastle."
On the expectations of West Ham fans:
"They're only three points off Newcastle after Monday night, it's amazing the way the table is so packed. A couple of wins can get you right up there amongst it again.
"I think West Ham fans are expecting and want to be in the top eight, that's where they want to be all the time now. They want to be playing their football 'the West Ham way' and winning games.
"They got the win on Monday and did it in a good way. Newcastle struggled to break them down in the second half, West Ham played the way they wanted to play and got a fantastic win."
On Newcastle's performance:
"West Ham dealt with Alexander Isak really well, he had opportunities and scored an early goal which was just offside. You never know, if that goes in, that gets the momentum going.
"It's something which is going to be looked at by Newcastle fans - are they that counter-attacking team that prefers to play teams who are going to be on top of them, or can they break teams down? Because they really struggled in the second half once West Ham went 2-0 up.
"I thought they tried to force things, they struggled to break them down and West Ham did well to keep the clean sheet."
We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Newcastle and West Ham.
Here are some of your comments:
Newcastle fans:
Ian: Poor from Newcastle. Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak snatching at chances. Gordon needs to be played on the left consistently to regain confidence and form. Need some new faces to keep the rest of the squad on their toes a bit more.
Mark: We're doing our best to overtake Tottenham as the 'Spursiest' team in the league. Just as we enter a good patch of form we get hit by an international break and a West Ham team that finally play like the money they've spent. Back to the drawing board for Eddie Howe. Sean Longstaff and Joelinton really struggle against low-block teams.
Tom: We were beaten by the better team. Credit to West Ham - they came to us and attacked us from the word go. We looked a little lost, and couldn't seem to find our normal fluidity. Hopefully just a minor bump, and a kick up the backside needed to turn it around for the weekend.
Darren: First, congratulations to West Ham, by far the better team! As for Newcastle, I don't know where to start, with the exception of Joelinton (substituted?) and Lewis Hall, the rest should hang their heads in shame. Way too many big-ego, one-season wonders. The best players perform every game, lessons to be learned by players and manager.
West Ham fans:
Bubba: If we play like this for the rest of the year, we have a chance at Europe next year. Everyone worked hard, on and off the ball. The passing was crisp. Defence was solid. A few wobbles in the first half but a great performance against a very good team. Best performance of the year.
Joe: Fantastic performance, midfield looked like a different animal to what we have seen previously. Wish Michail Antonio could play like that all season. Hope we can take this into the next game against a top side in Arsenal.
John: Finally. A performance! Character, energy for the full 96 minutes, possession of the ball. So much better. Carlos Soler starred - as did Jarrod Bowen with a real captain's performance. I still think they don't have the nous and quality to constantly play out from the back, but they mixed it up well. It was a very encouraging showing. More of the same please now.
Oz: I felt like it could be a long night for West Ham but I was pleasantly surprised to be totally wrong! Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been an outstanding addition and deserved his goal. Bowen worked tirelessly as always, as did Antonio. Finally saw what the fuss is about with Soler and he looked good on the ball. Going into the Arsenal game with confidence now.
Image source, Getty ImagesWest Ham captain Jarrod Bowen, speaking to Sky Sports: "I said we needed a performance before the game and I think we did that. Newcastle always score at home so to keep a clean sheet and score two goals [is good]. It is an atmosphere that you have to control and I think we did that perfectly.
"You always are playing to win the games. We know the quality we have and it was a beautiful ball and a beautiful header. Then it was down to us to get the second goal. If you sit on a goal here it can come and haunt you.
"That was more like the level of what it takes to play for this club - the desire and work-rate from everyone. We have a massive game on Saturday against Arsenal and we need to be consistently winning games on the bounce. This is a start and we can take a lot from the game."
On whether belief was lacking in the squad: "I wouldn't say it is lacking. The group we have is so good and there is a real togetherness. It's down to me to show the new players what it means to play for this club. Every player on the pitch understood the assignment. Full credit to our fans for coming up to Newcastle on a Monday night. We need to give them more moments. That was more like us but we have to build on this.
"We should be pushing for European football every year. We had three years at it and those are the standards and demands of this club. The team has been improved and those are our standards and what we feel we can get to. We haven't been to those levels but it is not for the want of trying. Qualifying for Europe should be the benchmark."
Is this a big win for the manager? "It is for everyone associated with the club. We have been disappointed with our start. We have to take responsibility and do our work and we haven't done that to a high enough ability this year. This is a really big turning point in our season."
"He has come in with different ideas and playing from the back but also mixing it up as well. That's up to us to adapt to. He has come in with fresh, good ideas - especially for us attacking players. We are getting there."
Image source, Getty ImagesWest Ham manager Julen Lopetegui, speaking to Sky Sports: "We are happy. I think that we played well. We played with one identity and we were able to overcome a very good team. They started well and it is always good to have more confidence. They had two chances and I think that in the second half we did well and deserved to win.
"I am happy for the players, for the team and for the fans. They will have to drive a lot of miles so we are happy for them. We look forward to the next challenge. We are happy but we have a lot of work to do.
"We have to build as a team if we are to work and know what we want to do. I think about the play. That is the thing that we try to do. We have a lot of matches and I believe in the future this team is going to be able to do the things and show the style as a team. The players believe they are able to do do this and put in the focus every day. Each match is one incredible challenge in the Premier League."
On the Hammers' European prospects: "I don't talk about this. We only talk about the next day. Tomorrow we are looking forward to the next challenge and the next step is not to think about the long term. That helps no-one.
"We are a good team. That is the most important thing. Our big challenge is to be able to be a good team."
On West Ham running the second most of any team in the Premier League this gameweek: "You have to run. If you are to win you have to run a lot. I always demand them to run and to play. This is the two things. It is good."
Image source, Getty ImagesSince making his Premier League debut in February 2020, only Jarrod Bowen (46) and Michail Antonio (41) have scored more top-flight goals for West Ham than Tomas Soucek (30).
Only Gabriel Magalhaes (16) and James Ward-Prowse (15) have scored more goals from set-pieces (excluding penalties) than the Hammers midfielder (14) during this period.
Soucek has scored four Premier League goals against Newcastle. It is the most he has scored against any side in the competition and they have all been to put the Hammers into the lead.
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
Have your say on Newcastle's performance, external
What did you make of West Ham's display?, external
Come back to this page on Tuesday to find a selection of your replies
Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesThis was both an unexpected and much needed result for West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui.
The pressure had been increasing on the Spanish coach, who replaced David Moyes in the summer, with results and performances so far this season not matching what was hoped for.
There were reports that he was two games away from being dismissed, and needed to get something from games against Newcastle and Arsenal.
Not only did West Ham manage to get the result he badly needed at St James' Park, but the performance at times will have given the club's fans hope that their fortune will turn around under Lopetegui.
The Hammers defended well, attacked with numbers and were clinical with the chances to produce the perfect away performance.
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 12 he takes on The Farm singer and Liverpool fan Peter Hooton.
The Farm's new single, Forever & Ever, is out now and their new album, Let The Music (Take Control), is released in May 2025.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
It feels to me like Russell Martin of Southampton is the manager who is closest to the edge at the moment but West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui is probably not too far behind him.
I was at this game last season, when Newcastle won 4-3 after being 3-1 down, and it was probably one of the results that meant Lopetegui's predecessor, David Moyes, was not offered a new deal.
Hammers fans have been underwhelmed by what they have seen since Lopetegui arrived, because it is not working out under him. As I’ve said before, I don’t quite know what kind of team they are trying to be.
I don’t see them getting any joy at St James' Park this time, either. Alexander Isak looked back to his best when Newcastle beat Forest last time out, and they should be too strong for West Ham too.
Hooton's prediction: 2-1
I have got relatives who are West Ham fans so I want them to do well, but I can't see them getting anything here. I know what Lopetegui is trying to do, and I think they have got to stick with him - chopping and changing is not going to get them anywhere - but, unfortunately, I think if they lose a couple more games then he will be out.
Image source, Getty ImagesWest Ham boss Julen Lopetegui says he is not engaging with external noise but instead is completely focused on getting the squad to improve.
The Hammers are 14th in the Premier League, with 12 points from the Spaniard's first 11 games. Despite a less than perfect start, Lopegegui is optimistic that it is too early to judge his side.
"Our life is to live under pressure," he said. "Our work is like this and that is why we choose this kind of work. The more important thing is that we are working very hard to improve. I think the players have a big commitment to do this and I am sure we are going to achieve our levels.
"We are all not happy with the position we are in, but there is a lot of time to change this. We have to get there step by step, trying to correct little by little what we have to do to improve as a team."
West Ham travel to Newcastle on Monday looking for what would be only a fourth win of Lopetegui's tenure so far.
"I am not listening to or reading about what is said," Lopetegui said on reports his job is at risk. "My focus is to work in the team and to be able to understand what things can help us be a better team.
"The rest, this is not under our control - what is being able to work better with a high demand, knowing that our players are going to get better for sure.
"And also knowing that the [end of the] season arrives in May, not November, so let's see what is going to happen in two or three months.
"The only thing I am focused on now is going to Newcastle on Monday and trying to get a good result in a tough game."
Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport journalist
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game at Newcastle United (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Lopetegui confirmed there is a "little problem with two players" before the trip to Newcastle but when pressed, refused to give names.
He added that Niclas Fullkrug remains out but says that the German "is improving" as he continues to recover from an Achilles tendon injury.
On reports that he has two games to save his job: "The only thing I am focused on is to be able to go to Newcastle ready for a very tough match against a very good team. We have to be ready to improve and overcome the difficulties that we are going to have as a team. That is the only thing I am focused on."
On whether he has spoken to owner David Sullivan about his future: "We talk every week. I am not going to tell you about what I speak to David about."
On Jarrod Bowen scoring his first goal for England: "It is always good for our players when they score goals . He was happy with this goal and he was able to play two more games with the England national team so we are happy for him."
Lopetegui was asked whether he has a clear first choice goalkeeper: "We have good keepers and it's up to me, I have to choose. I choose on who I think is going to help more in each match. I am happy with Alphonse [Areola] but I decided to change it one day so let's see what is going to happen. It's not that one player has to play always. I am here to take decisions and I am always trying to take the best decision for the team."
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news.
