West Ham United

Tyrese King
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham boss Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Everton (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• German striker Niclas Fullkrug is training but "not ready to start" according to Potter who thinks he is more likely to come back after the international break.

• When asked about when Michael Antonio will return, he said: "I think it's early to say. I wouldn't want to put that type of pressure or deadline on him. It's great that he's here and making the progress that he is. We need to carry on supporting him day by day and week by week."

• Jean-Clair Todibo is "building his minutes" as he gets closer to playing the full 90 after coming back from injury, and is expected to play a big part in Saturday's trip to Goodison.

• Potter is however "happy" with the attitude of his players and praised their performances over recent weeks despite narrowly losing to Newcastle.

• On Evan Ferguson's impact so far: "We're happy with him and he's where we expected him to be. He came as a young player who had time out with injuries, and he came here to help us in the squad and that's exactly what he's done."

• Potter has "huge respect" for former West Ham and current Everton boss David Moyes, stating: "I have played him a few times, so I know him, he's a really good guy and top coach. He has them organised and he's built on that defensive stability that was already there and now they're scoring goals."

• On Everton: "I think they have always been defensively solid but it was the scoring part of the game that they maybe struggled with. They have made some adjustments and Beto has come in and been really dangerous and effective. O'Brien has come into the team as well and given them a different dimension. "

• He praised Goodison Park: "It's a tough place to go because of the crowd and the atmosphere. It's a football club with great traditions and very passionate supporters. You know they're behind their team, it's going to be a tough away match. My memories there have been good, we've had some results but it's always tough to go there."

• I've been linked to quite a lot of jobs," Potter replied when asked if he considered taking the Everton job but he said he wouldn't "confirm or deny anything" before urging people not to "believe everything that you read in the newspapers".

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Everton have not scored more than once in any of their past 10 Premier League meetings with West Ham (six goals in total), with the reverse fixture in November finishing 0-0.

West Ham have failed to score in 37.5% of their Premier League games under Graham Potter, compared to 20% under Julen Lopetegui. They also only average just 9.3 shots per game under Potter, compared to 14.6 under Lopetegui in the league.

Progress made under Graham Potter? Targets for next season? There is plenty to talk about at West Ham.

So, we are opening the floor for you to put your Hammers questions to BBC Sport's chief football news reporter Simon Stone.

Submit your questions here

Come back later this week to see his answers.

James Jones
Fan writer

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The 1-0 defeat by Newcastle on Monday was disappointing but should not have been unexpected.

Here we have a team which is battling for a European finish and is set to play in a cup final this weekend. Meanwhile, West Ham have aspirations of returning to the battle for European qualification, but the reality is we have drifted so far away from that being a reality in such a short space of time.

Indeed, there was hope that Eddie Howe's players would be somewhat distracted by the prospect of ending Newcastle's long trophy drought this weekend. In many ways, they were a little distracted. It was not a great game of football and their winner came via a foul in the build-up, which VAR inexplicably missed, ignored or just believed pushing a defender in the back was more than acceptable.

But we did not do nearly enough to win the game ourselves. A couple of penalty shouts aside, we were pretty gutless in the final third and gave Newcastle's defence a pretty easy warm-up before they face Mohamed Salah at Wembley. Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen and, when he came on, Evan Ferguson, were largely ineffective and just did not do enough to bother Nick Pope.

So we can't really have too many complaints that we did not get anything from the game, regardless of the controversy surrounding Bruno Guimaraes' winner.

What the result highlighted, though, was the amount of work Graham Potter has to do to get this squad competing alongside Newcastle at the right end of the table again.

He has most definitely improved us and he has made reference to the work he needed to do defensively immediately after replacing Julen Lopetegui in the dugout. One goal conceded in three games shows he is making progress there.

But there are so many clear issues throughout the rest of the squad, plus the fact the players are no doubt still adapting to Potter's methods, that we have to remain realistic for the rest of the season. It is likely we are going to stumble our way through our final 10 games. It is not going to be fun or pretty.

Then the real work starts in the summer for Potter. Until then, we are just going to have to accept that this team is miles off where it should be.

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

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We asked for your thoughts on West Ham's Premier League match against Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Rob: I don't think we played badly, but, the lack of a striker is evident. We have improved so much since the arrival of Potter and look more solid, organised and play much better football but we aren't clinical in the 18-yard box and it's costing us points.

Barry: Defensively pretty good, a bit static for the goal. Kilman definitely had two arms in the back from Isak. Bowen also unlucky not to get a pen. Overall lackluster and pretty toothless in the last third. Would have probably been a different game if Soucek put away his early chance.

John: Poor performance becoming the norm. We're heading for Championship football. The players' passing is very poor but it's the lack of intensity and willingness to fight for the badge that really annoys me. We need a Mourinho type manager not a nice boy.

Newcastle fans

Krishan: Ground out a result against 10 defenders and kept a clean sheet. These three points are priceless and I believe five more wins and we'll make fifth place. Happy for Barnes as he was decent throughout. They will need to play out of their skin on Sunday. Howay.

Chris: Not pretty but a vital and morale boosting victory before the final. It did feel like we were holding back slightly. When we did step it up we scored. We definitely need a left footed player on the left as we were relatively easy to defend against. Surprised at the West Ham display, barring the first minute I never really worried they would score. Onto the final. Up the Mags!

John: Newcastle did just enough to claim all three points. Perhaps there was an element of one eye on the next game!

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West Ham boss Graham Potter told BBC Sport after Monday night's defeat to Newcastle: "It ebbed and flowed a bit. We had a good start and they came back into it. Then we had some good opportunities. There wasn't much in it. We didn't do enough to win the game but we could have got something out of it.

"The goal was disappointing, we felt there was a push on Max.

"It's two hands on the back. It's a push. You can see from Isak's non celebration he thinks it's a push. Clear for us but I'm not VAR.

"We were playing against a really physical man-to-man defence. The players were doing their best. We'd like things to be more progressive but you have to credit the opposition.

"It just wasn't our day today. We had some opportunities. We had our moments, we could have been better with the ball."

On what has changed since he has come in: "You have to look at what the situation was. We were conceding a lot of goals. We tried to stabilise things. Overall the attitude and commitment was really strong.

"We just need to carry on improving our attacking play. It's not easy to do it at mid-season but I'm pretty confident we can turn it around."

Did you know? West Ham have failed to win any of the 15 Premier League games this season where they have conceded the first goal (D4 L11).

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

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There's very little for West Ham to play for this season as they sit well clear of the relegation zone, but unlikely to trouble the European spots, and that factor showed in this performance.

The first 10 minutes were encouraging as the Hammers caused Newcastle problems down the wings and if Tomas Soucek had scored inside the first minute then it could have perhaps been a very different game.

But instead, West Ham failed to build on that positive start and barely threatened the Newcastle goal, with the rare attacks they did have breaking down once they got to the final third.

Jarrod Bowen felt he had a penalty shout in the second half but was otherwise pretty quiet.

The Hammers may feel aggreived that they were not awarded a free-kick in the build up to the winning goal for a push on Max Kilman, but they were second best for the majority of the game and can't feel to aggreived with the defeat.

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Michail Antonio received a generous reception as he entered the pitch at London Stadium before Monday's game with Newcastle United, three months after he was involved in a car accident.

In December, the West Ham striker required surgery to repair a broken leg after his car collided with a tree and had to be cut free by firefighters.

While a date has not been set for his return, he has resumed running and reports suggest he is hopeful of featuring for the Hammers again this season.

Supporters welcomed his appearance with a huge banner that covered a large part of the lower tier behind one goal, reading: "Michail Antonio - our number 9."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on West Ham's performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

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

West Ham are showing signs of improvement under Graham Potter and are going for a third-straight win.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe's first problem is who is fit and available.

I don't think Howe will rest anyone ahead of next weekend's Carabao Cup final, because his side are still going for a top-five finish and it would be huge for the club if they make it back into the Champions League.

But there is a doubt over Alexander Isak, Lewis Hall is out for the season and Anthony Gordon is suspended after his red card against Brighton - I saw someone call him 'Rash Gordon' which is a great line.

All of that, on top of West Ham's current form, makes me think this will end up in a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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Following their 2-0 win at St James' Park in November, West Ham are looking to complete the Premier League double over Newcastle for the first time since 2018-19.

Only Southampton (7.5%) have a lower shot conversion rate in the Premier League this season than West Ham (9%), with the Hammers also hitting the lowest proportion of their shots on target so far this term (30%).

Against no side has Newcastle's Harvey Barnes scored more Premier League goals than he has against West Ham (6), with three of his six strikes against the Hammers coming as a substitute.

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

West Ham boss Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Newcastle at London Stadium (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He was asked about Lucas Paqueta, who has been in the headlines this week: "He's fine. He's been disappointed because he's missed games with injury, but he's worked hard and trained well this week. I've found him no problem whatsoever. The other stuff is out of my hands, but with us he's been really good."

• On Monday's opponents, who have the Carabao Cup final six days after this match: "I don't think there's a good or bad time to play anybody. You look at the table and they're doing well, and they'll be wanting to prepare for their cup final with a win. Eddie [Howe] has done a fantastic job there - they are well organised and play with huge intensity."

• Potter says "the feeling of family is unique" at West Ham, adding: "When you start a job [mid-season] there are always some surprises, but they've been positive. It's a really big club with a massive fanbase, and the fans have been really understanding with the position and given us support."

• He added: "I feel settled and supported, for sure - but I'm far from comfortable. I understand the club more and the ambition."

• Potter has been impressed with Jarrod Bowen since the forward's return from injury: "It's hard to expect you to be at your top, top form. He's contributed to the team, but there's still room for him to improve, and that's exciting for him and us."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

West Ham and Crystal Palace are among the clubs looking to sign Southampton's England defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, 23, this summer. (Football Insider), external

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

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West Ham are trying to sign England midfielder Angel Gomes, 24, on a free transfer from Lille this summer. (Guardian), external

West Ham have enquired about the availability of Roma's 27-year-old England striker Tammy Abraham, who is currently on loan at AC Milan. (Teamtalk), external

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

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West Ham are on a roll under Graham Potter after back-to-back wins and clean sheets against Arsenal and Leicester City in their past two league games.

What's behind the upturn in form?

How has Potter worked his magic?

Or is there something else you've spotted?

You know your club best, so let us know the one thing - good or bad - going under the radar at London Stadium right now.

Tell us here

Southampton and England defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, 23, wants to remain a Premier League player next season amid interest from West Ham and Crystal Palace. (Football Insider), external

West Ham could challenge Newcastle for the signature of Strasbourg's 22-year-old Dutch forward Emanuel Emegha. (GiveMeSport), external

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

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James Jones
Fan writer

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When David Moyes left, there were some players many thought would not survive a new manager looking to play a more attractive style of football.

Tomas Soucek was one. His success under Moyes was largely due to his ability to do all the dirty work in midfield, as well as being a crucial part of the team in both boxes. Defensively, he puts his body on the line to block shots while in attack he perfected the art of arriving into the box late. One of the best aerial threats in the Premier League, he was unattractive to watch, but hugely effective.

Julen Lopetegui tried to create a midfield that did not include Soucek and at first, it appeared our assumptions were right. Surely the Czech international cannot and will not be able to perform in a more possession-based system. But it soon became clear that there's more to his game than anyone gave him credit for.

Every time he was dropped, West Ham looked disjointed in midfield. Whenever he was introduced off the bench, the team instantly looked more organised and effective.

Now, with Graham Potter in charge, we are seeing Soucek restored as a vital player in West Ham's midfield.

Last Thursday, he scored his 38th goal in claret and blue, his 50th goal contribution for the Hammers in 235 first-team appearances.

Since signing in January 2020, he has averaged a goal contribution every 4.7 games. As a holding midfielder, that is a remarkable record for someone whose primary job is not to score or create goals.

We always knew how good Soucek was in a defensive system, but this season we have discovered that he is much more rounded. Also, he is loved by the fans not just because of his success since joining the club, but also because he epitomises what it means to play for West Ham United. There are not many players left like him.

That is why he should be regarded as a West Ham legend at this stage.

It is not even up for debate.

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West Ham are interested in signing Genoa and Belgium centre-back Koni de Winter, 22. (Nicolo Schira), external

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

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