West Ham United

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

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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

Image source, Getty Images

Jarrod Bowen had told his dad this "could be my time to score for England" before getting his first Three Lions goal on Sunday.

The West Ham forward scored England's fourth in their 5-0 romp over the Republic of Ireland that saw them promoted from their Nations League group.

Bowen's strike came from his first touch of the ball, just seconds after entering the pitch as a substitute.

The 27-year-old only came into the squad late having been called up following a number of withdrawals.

"It is an honour to play for England every time I get the opportunity so to score that first goal was always on my mind," Bowen said after the match.

"I wasn't meant to be in the squad, I knew when the manager called me and asked me if I was willing to come in it was a no-brainer. It's an honour to come in.

"I said to my dad this could be my time. You need a little bit of luck and I got that.

"For me it was a different situation to one that I have been in before but I thought this could be an opportunity for me to score and it paid off."

West Ham and Southampton are both chasing 16-year-old twins Cole and Dylan Williams, with the Scottish midfield pair currently at Airdrie. (Sun), external

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

West Ham are looking at a move for 22-year-old Manchester City midfielder James McAtee in January, as they fear losing Lucas Paqueta. (Sun), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

There has been some pressure on players carrying an injury going into international breaks with their national side because you are contracted to these clubs and that is where your income is.

But, for me, as a player I had a similar mindset to Harry Kane that I would always be available - injured or not injured. I would have injections when I was on international duty just so I could represent my country because it meant that much.

It is difficult, however. If you look at Jack Grealish and Pep Guardiola's comments, he has a point because the forward has not been able to play for Manchester City because of injuries. So if you have been sidelined for three or four games, I would agree that you are then not fit and available to go on international duty.

But when you look at some of the other players, ones who have been playing and being managed by their club, then I do not see it being different to being played and managed by your country.

From the club's side, when they are competing at such high levels in the Premier League, you can understand why they would want their players to be rested and get fully fit again over the two weeks, rather than having to come back straight into a hectic period of fixtures.

I kind of get it from both points of view but, as a player, if I am half fit and being played by my club, I would be fully available for my national team.

It is really difficult with the pressure that is on the players, though. I would not look at it as a decision players have made solely.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

West Ham are closely monitoring Brighton right-back Tariq Lamptey, 24, and are well placed to beat Everton and sign the Ghana international on a free transfer in the summer. (Football Insider), external

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

Image source, PA Media

Earlier, we asked you who scored West Ham's first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season.

The answer is Lucas Paqueta, who netted in the 2-1 defeat by Aston Villa on 17 August.

Who scored West Ham's first Premier League goal of the 2024-25 season?

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

West Ham are set to stand firm on attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus' £85m release clause, with Liverpool and Arsenal both monitoring the 24-year-old. (Mail - subscription required), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on whether the lack of playing time for summer signings is an issue Julen Lopetegui needs to sort or whether the reason for the Hammers' poor start to the season lies elsewhere.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Hooli: Niclas Fullkrug's injury certainly skews the situation a bit, but Crysencio Summerville not playing earlier was daft. Carlos Soler hasn't shown anything in the minutes he's had and he doesn't have much pace. My problem is that Lucas Paqueta, Michail Antonio and Emerson Palmieri are all off it. Is Lopetegui developing any of our younger players? Also, we need to play Danny Ings!

Joe: I do not rate Guido Rodriguez at all. I don't understand how he's playing almost every game. He is too slow for the Premier League and he doesn't cover half the ground Tomas Soucek would. Keep him and Antonio on the bench this season - give the younger boys a chance!

Mike: It is clear that we are unclear on how we want to play. I can't tell if Lopetegui is chopping and changing to find the right formation, or if he is trying to mix things up for each opponent. Either way, the players seem to be unsettled and confused with no clear pattern of play evident.

Dave: We spent a lot of money in the transfer window but some of those players haven't been given an opportunity to play. I really feel Lopetegui doesn't know his best starting XI. It seems really strange that we spent £125m on players but spent zero on signing a manager. Manchester United did and they got ours. Sorry, Lopetegui out.

Image source, Getty Images

I struggle to find reasons why it is not seeming to click for Julen Lopetegui at West Ham.

If you look at their fixtures and the teams they have lost against – the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Aston Villa – it has been a lot of the top teams. The only team outside of that that they lost to was Nottingham Forest, but Forest were in the top three at the time. Other sides that you might expect them to beat or get a result against, generally speaking, they have done that.

It always takes time for a new manager and players to adapt. What West Ham fans wanted was a manager that plays with expansive, possession-based, easy-on-the-eye football and I do not think that is what Lopetegui is.

You have to be careful what you wish for. What David Moyes did with West Ham in terms of taking them into Europe and winning that Conference League trophy, they were probably punching above their weight a little bit.

It will take time but they certainly have a good enough squad. When you look at the players they have and the quality of those players, they should be getting better results. With the next few fixtures and into December, you would expect results to pick up and if they don't, that is when the questions should start to be asked.

But talk of sacking him in this international break is way too soon. He has only just stepped into the role, but the expectations were a lot higher. Ultimately for West Ham it is about staying in the Premier League, then if they can get into those European spots they will be doing great.

Management is about time. The players have to do better, but the manager needs to be given a bit time to get that together. I do not think sacking him and trying to rebuild with someone else with the players he has brought in is the right answer right now.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

We recently asked you to tell us something that nobody is talking about at West Ham, but should be. A few of you got in touch to raise concerns about Julen Lopetegui not giving enough minutes to his summer signings.

So we asked Holly Turbutt from West Ham Network, external to give her thoughts on the situation.