West Ham United

James Jones
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Reports 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 Media

Former 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 Images

West 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 Images

West 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 Images

Since 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 Images

This 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.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

West 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.

West Ham and Newcastle are among the Premier League clubs interested in French forward Randal Kolo Muani, who PSG are set to make available for loan. (Caught Offside), external

Former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic, ex-Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand, Stuttgart's Sebastian Hoeness and Roger Schmidt, formerly of Bayer Leverkusen and Benfica, are on West Ham's shortlist should they decide to replace Julien Lopetegui. (Mirror), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club but this week he's in the hotseat answering your questions.

Simon asked: How would you respond as a player to a coach who doesn't seem to know his preferred tactics, formation or first XI after a quarter of the season has elapsed? Julen Lopetegui chops and changes from one match to the next, even making triple subs at half-time.

Nedum replied: It is all about perspective because if West Ham were getting the results then fans would be happy with the rotations.

He must believe that he has the opportunity to tinker with his team based on the opposition and not that he doesn't know what his best team is.

The style of play seems to be the biggest issue because that is what brings consistency to your squad.

If I was a player then I wouldn't be overly concerned but the bigger issue is the lack of results. It is better to have a manager on the front foot who will make changes if things aren't working.

There is no reason to doubt the manager so soon into his tenure because for some it does take time to implement their changes.

West Ham are not in a dog fight, it is not great, but Lopetegui has the pedigree to make it better because I think he is a well established manager.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

West Ham are open to selling summer signing Guido Rodriguez, 30, in January, with a return to former club Real Betis on the cards for the Argentina midfielder. (Estadio Deportivo - in Spanish), external

West Ham, Brighton and Fulham are keeping tabs on English midfielder Josh Brownhill, 28, who is yet to sign a new deal with Burnley. (TBR), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham have kept just two clean sheets in their past 28 Premier League away matches, conceding 66 goals (2.4 per game). In 2024, the Hammers have conceded more goals on the road in the division (35) than any other side.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Everyone has their own favourite version of the political power story. It may be Hamlet, King Lear, MacBeth or even Wolf Hall.

You might be transfixed by modern boxed sets such as Succession while Game of Thrones is hardly a subtle version of these age old power struggles. My current favourite is in football.

Everywhere I look the battle between the first-team coaches and the acquisitions director/football director is simmering, or in some cases boiling, away. They try to keep their secrets in house, so we can only guess what really happened with say, Edu and Arsenal.

However much they dress these roles up in different titles, there is a deadly power struggle to see who gets the King's ear. The King being the ultimate owner and controller. The goings on at Chelsea made Game of Thrones look pleasant and polite but the more interesting current drama is at West Ham.

David Moyes lost the power battle with Tim Steidten, (going under the title technical director this time) but with Julen Lopetegui struggling, more eyes are wandering away from his dugout and up towards the main stand and Steidten. They seem to ask, who actually acquired the 10 new players over the summer who have so far scored a meagre three goals between them?

In Moyes' 'unacceptable' final season the Hammers finished on 1.4 points per game. They currently sit with 1.1 per game this time round. It is still early days but that is the difference between mid-table comfort and hovering around the relegation zone.

The technical advisors are now finding that if you grab the power you also have to accept the consequences.

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West Ham are interested in 26-year-old AC Milan and USA winger Christian Pulisic, along with Liverpool and Manchester United. (Calciomercato), external

Meanwhile, West Ham and Fulham are both interested in a January move for Manchester City and England Under-21 midfielder James McAtee, with the 22-year-old limited to just one Premier League minute so far this season. (Guardian), external

Arsenal and Liverpool will not be able to sign Mohammed Kudus for less than his £85m release clause next summer, with West Ham determined to keep hold of the 24-year-old winger. (Football Insider), external

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

BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club.

But this week, he's in the hotseat for your questions.

So what do you want to ask for a former player. Best opponent? Most memorable team-mate he played with?

Or maybe you're just interested in what next for your club this season?

Send in your questions, external