West Ham United

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

When the summer transfer window closed, it seemed West Ham had enjoyed one of the strongest in the division. From the outside, it seemed they had recruited quantity and quality, leaving many Hammers fans optimistic about the season.

However, last week, some readers suggested boss Julen Lopetegui is not giving enough minutes to the players that West Ham signed in the summer transfer window. How true is this claim?

Centre-back Max Kilman, who Lopetegui previously worked with at Wolves, has played every minute this season. Fellow defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another to enjoy a fair share of playing time since arriving from Manchester United in August.

Midfield enforcer Guido Rodriguez has also featured regularly, playing in almost every game since his switch from Real Betis.

However, the lack of minutes for Crysencio Summerville is a genuine frustration. Last season's Championship player of the season at Leeds has only played more than 45 minutes in two Premier League matches, and would surely add some firepower to a West Ham attack that has outscored just four teams in the Premier League.

Carlos Soler's lack of game time seems puzzling too. Lopetegui's fellow Spainard has won trophies in two countries and has almost 20 Champions League matches under his belt. He could add much needed experience.

One frustration Hammers fans tell us regularly is that Michail Antonio is still the club's main striker despite so much money being spent on centre-forwards in the past decade. It is not Lopetegui's fault that summer arrival Niclas Fullkrug has been injured, but it has not helped matters.

We want to hear from you, West Ham fans.

Is the lack of playing time for summer signings a major issue for Lopetegui or does the reason for the poor start lie elsewhere?

Let us know, external

West Ham United are looking at 23-year-old Botafogo and Brazil forward Igor Jesus, as they aim to strengthen their attacking options. (Football Insider), external

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

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It is fair to say Julen Lopetegui's tenure at West Ham is very much in the balance.

While David Moyes' time as manager had run its course by the end of last season, the arrival of Lopetegui was supposed to herald a new era at London Stadium, with technical director Tim Steidten allowed more of an input into transfers.

The result was a summer spend of almost £125m on new players amid an expectation of more expansive tactics and a place among the European contenders.

But star striker Niclas Fullkrug is yet to start a league game since his £27m arrival from Borussia Dortmund and is currently sidelined with an Achilles injury that could keep him out for a while yet.

Another expensive newcomer, £25.5m Brazilian Luis Guilherme, has managed two substitute appearances despite arriving with a huge reputation, and EFL player of the year Crysensio Summerville has managed one goal in 12 appearances, most of which have been as a substitute.

Amid massive speculation about his future, club sources have told me they are still 100% behind Lopetegui but that results have to improve.

The Hammers have some tough games ahead - a trip to Newcastle immediately after the international break and a London derby against Arsenal straight after that.

The pressure is on Lopetegui to deliver.

Image source, Getty Images

Referees' chief Howard Webb says West Ham should not have been awarded a penalty during Erik ten Hag's final game in charge of Manchester United.

Julen Lopetegui's side were given the decision on the recommendation of video assistant referee Michael Oliver, after reviewing the footage of Matthijs de Ligt's challenge on Danny Ings.

Jarrod Bowen scored the penalty to seal a 2-1 win for the Hammers, with United boss Erik ten Hag sacked less than 24 hours later.

"I thought it was a misread by the VAR," Webb told Sky Sports' Mic'd Up programme. "A VAR that is normally really talented and reliable but gets uber-focused, in this situation, on De Ligt's leg.

"His leg coming through onto Danny Ings, not making any contact with the ball. The ball is already past De Ligt as he makes contact with Danny Ings - and the VAR sees that as a clear foul.

"I think he was too focused on that aspect. I don't think he should have got involved.

"I think this is a situation where we would leave the on-field decision as it is, probably whichever way it is called. On balance, I don't think it is a penalty kick."

On-field referees are not required to follow the recommendations of the VAR official.

"They are told that they are absolutely within their rights to keep their decision when they go to the screen," added Webb.

James Jones
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I wrote last week that I was beginning to lose patience with Julen Lopetegui and what he was trying to do at West Ham.

The Nottingham Forest defeat took me from being willing to give him time to not really knowing where any improvement was going to come from. I hoped it would come on Saturday against Everton.

Put simply, it needed to. But it didn't. There was no improvement.

The fact is, we were fortunate to come up against an Everton side with their own issues. If they were a bit more organised and a bit more clinical, they would have left London Stadium with three points in the bag without much effort at all.

From West Ham's perspective, it was tepid. It was lacking of any kind of identity or of any kind urgency. Aside from Crysencio Summerville hitting the post or a Jordan Pickford 'wondersave' in the final moments, we did not really show any real desire to beat the Toffees.

That is a huge concern for me and evidence West Ham should really be using this international break as an opportunity to reset and go again with a new man in the dugout.

The quicker the decision is made, the quicker things can be sorted and someone else can get to work on getting this West Ham squad, which is packed with top talent, playing to its full potential.

Because Lopetegui is failing to do it. He has failed to do it. The bulk of this Hammers squad won a European trophy not too long ago. Some are world-class footballers when they are on form. Many are full internationals.

There is absolutely no reason why they should be struggling like they currently are, unless it is because they are not fully on board with the manager's message.

It has become strikingly obvious that is the major issue here.

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

Arsenal are ready to spend £83m (100m euros) on West Ham's Mohammed Kudus, with the forward keen to join the Gunners to play European football. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

Five players have been called up to England's squad for November's Nations League internationals after eight withdrew through injury.

Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers, West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen, Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite along with Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento and Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford have also been added to interim boss Lee Carsley’s squad.

Chelsea pair Levi Colwill and Cole Palmer, Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, Manchester City midfielders Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Southampton's Aaron Ramsdale have all pulled out.

England face Greece on Thursday, 14 November and the Republic of Ireland on Sunday, 17 November.

Mark Scott
Final Score reporter at London Stadium

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This was a truly dire game that really reflected the apathy around West Ham at the moment.

The first half felt like an example of what many have been saying about the Hammers' lack of identity under Julen Lopetegui, who also appeared to struggle to get his messages across to the players in-game from the dugout, as he frantically called for more urgency.

While there was an improvement in that aspect after the break, I do not think it was the kind of performance that will quell the whispers about his position being in a fair amount of peril.

Based on Saturday's struggles at home to an Everton not exactly cooking on gas themselves, the exasperation among the fans might turn to worry with games against Newcastle and Arsenal coming next.

Image source, Reuters

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Joe asked: West Ham were woeful again this weekend. Despite spending over £100m in the summer, they are worse than they were last season (which wasn’t great!). Do you think Julen Lopetegui will be sacked this week?

Phil answered: No, I don't think Lopetegui will be sacked this week. West Ham’s owners are not known for being trigger happy when it comes to managers - and you suspect he might also need a hefty pay-off having only been there a matter of months.

There is no doubt, though, that there has not been any sort of improvement on David Moyes despite that big summer outlay and the West Ham natives are already restless. He needs to improve and fast.

What I never got was the notion that Lopetegui would be producing his own version of 'heavy metal football' after the perceived pragmatism of Moyes. He never has and he never will.

It was almost a case of anyone but Moyes by the end. I agree Moyes' time at West Ham had run its natural course - never forget he won a European trophy in that time - but I was never convinced Lopetegui would be a serious upgrade.

So far, those suspicions have been confirmed.

Follow Phil's Q&A and the rest of Monday's football news here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between West Ham and Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

Jayden: First half - once again so, so poor. They must start better. The performance was criminally bad. The changes certainly helped, but the clumsy and tepid play must stop. No ideas and no pace. Bowen and Somerville can be excused. He should start Ings and use Antonio as the late joker. Ings can't do any worse. Long, hard season ahead of us.

Graza: One of the worst games of football I've ever watched. I've seen worse performances from individual teams, but rarely two together to produce such a spineless, insipid, waste of time. For West Ham's part, no-one wanted the ball. Several times, at throw-ins or when we were up the pitch, everyone was hiding behind a defender trying not to get involved. Gutless.

Mark: One of the dullest games I've ever watched and I'm a season ticket-holder so have watched a few. Manager has to go. He has had zero impact. We have no shape, pass sideways and players are always picking up the ball standing still.

Everton fans

Tony: Dire and lacking any cohesion, Calvert-Lewin and Doucoure are past their sell-by date. Lindstrom is Championship standard. Dyche has no idea what to do any more. Hope the ownership is settled soon so we can get some fresh blood in at the top.

Gladys: The headlines will be that it was a good point away from home but, yet again, Dyche continues to show how out of his depth he is. This was a good opportunity to go and fight for a win, but it seems like Dyche only ever sets up for 0-0 draws. Time to go.

Gary: Hard-fought point with Pickford saving our blushes. West Ham substitutions definitely made them more threatening and thanks to Jordan's great saves we did not lose. As for our substitutes, too late and same old, same old. Sorry, Mr Dyche, but tactically you just don't have it.

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Wolves 2-0 Southampton

• Brighton 2-1 Man City

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham fans of a more generous disposition may view a goalless draw at home to Everton as a step in the right direction - particularly after the Hammers' debacle at Nottingham Forest last weekend.

For much of the first half at London Stadium, though, Julen Lopetegui's team looked in real danger of slipping to a sixth league defeat of the campaign.

Everton - hardly world-beaters themselves - carried much more of a threat in the final third, but other than efforts from Iliman Ndiaye and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski had little to do.

The Hammers' first attempt of the afternoon came in the 44th minute, when Jarrod Bowen's powerful drive was tipped past the near post by Jordan Pickford.

It was the first of five smart saves by the England international goalkeeper, who denied the home side a last-gasp victory by keeping out Danny Ings' deflected drive deep into second-half stoppage time.

The full-time whistle was met by boos by the West Ham fans, who can be forgiven for questioning where the next three points are going to come from.

Lopetegui's side travel to Newcastle after the international break before hosting Arsenal in their final game of November.

Image source, Getty Images

Julen Lopetegui spoke to BBC Match of the Day after West Ham's draw against Everton: “We had more chances than them. In the second half, we had more clear chances to win the game.

“The first half was a gift for them. We lost 45 minutes. In the second half we did better, we were aggressive and had chances to win.

“The matches aren’t about 45 minutes. They are 90 minutes and [stoppage] time. That’s why I’m not happy, for sure. I think we can, and have to, do better.

“I can’t complain about the behaviour of the players in the second half. They were brave and they were aggressive.

“Pickford was one of their best players. Sometimes, it can happen that you don’t score. The positive thing is the clean sheet.”

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on West Ham’s performance, external

What did you make of Everton’s display?, external

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

Six matches make up Saturday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Brentford v Bournemouth

• Crystal Palace v Fulham

• West Ham v Everton

• Wolves v Southampton (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

• Brighton v Man City - 17:30 (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Liverpool v Aston Villa - 20:00

Kick-off 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 11 he takes on Mylee and Tate from CBBC football drama Jamie Johnson FC (JJFC).

Sutton's prediction: 2-2

West Ham are in trouble. As I said on the Monday Night Club, they don't really have an identity under Julen Lopetegui.

He has always been a pragmatic manager in my eyes but they want to be a more expansive side and he is stuck somewhere in between at the moment.

There is a lot of uncertainty around them at present, and I am certainly not convinced by them at home. They beat Manchester United there a couple of weeks ago, but they were lucky to win that one.

While the Hammers are still above Everton in the table, the Toffees’ had been in better form, but then they lost at struggling Southampton last week, which is a disappointing defeat whichever way you look at it.

The only team Everton have beaten away this season is Ipswich, so I would not feel confident backing them to bounce back with a win here.

I don't want to pick another draw, but this has got one written all over it.

Mylee's prediction: 2-0

I am definitely backing my team here!

Tate's prediction: 1-2

I played for West Ham but they have had a few defeats recently so Everton might edge this.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has spoken about his side giving the opposition an "advantage" when they have players sent off.

Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez have both been shown red cards in the league this season and both matches ended in defeat for the Hammers, who are 14th with three wins from 10 games.

Kudus is serving a five-game ban after being given an extra two matches by the Football Association for his conduct following his dismissal against Tottenham last month.

Lopetegui said: "We have to try not to give the opponent different advantages that we can avoid - for example, the red cards.

"We can do better in a lot of moments of the match. If you want to compete in the Premier League, the first step is to try to be consistent.

"We need to have better answers in the moments- more calm, better decisions. This [Kudus' red card] was unacceptable, and we have to try to avoid this kind of action. He knows. But this is part of the past.

"These two players are not going to play Saturday. I prefer to focus on the players who are going to be ready to face Everton."

Alvarez begins a two-match ban after he was shown his second red card of the season during last weekend's defeat at Nottingham Forest.

The Mexico midfielder has been sent off twice in his past three starts for the Hammers and is the first player to be dismissed two times for West Ham in a season since Aaron Cresswell in the 2021-22 campaign.

"Of course, both talked and apologised to me and to the team. Both know that they were wrong. This is clear - but it is done," Lopetegui continued.

"We have to learn and to change the future. The past you can never change. You have to focus on changing the future.”

West Ham believe technical director Tim Steidten may come under consideration by Arsenal as a replacement for Edu. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham have conceded at least once in each of their past 14 Premier League home games, the longest ongoing run of any side, and the Hammers' longest ever in the competition. They last failed to keep a clean sheet in more consecutive top-flight home games between December 1964 and October 1965 (16).

West Ham have conceded 15 goals in the opening 15 minutes of Premier League games so far in 2024, the most any side have conceded in a single calendar year in the competition. Five of those have come so far this season, a joint-league high, along with Ipswich.

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport Researcher

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Everton (kick-off 15:00)

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Loptegui confirmed that Niclas Fullkrug is still unavailable for selection: "Fullkrug isn't ready. He isn't working with us and is going to be out for more time unfortunately. We have to check other issues tomorrow."

• He gave more detail on the recovery process: "He has a little injury that step by step is more complicated. With the new treatment, he has to be out for the next two or three weeks but I don't know exactly. It depends how he responds to the treatment."

• He did not want to dwell on the extended ban for forward Mohammed Kudus: "It's not good news but we have to accept it. I prefer to focus on the players who will play on Saturday."

• On whether he has had conversations with the West Ham hierarchy about the club's poor form: "I don't need to. I know that we are going to improve in a lot of things and overcome. We have the commitment of the players."

• On his messages to his players: "We talk a lot and they know we have to put the focus on competing better. We have big trust and confidence in the players. We don't want to put the focus on [unavailable] players like Fullkrug, Kudus and Edson [Alvarez].

• On his opponents: "I have seen a very good team when I look at them. They look better than last year in my opinion. They have a good team and a coach who knows the Premier League very well. It's a very balanced and complete team."

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

Image source, PA Media

We asked for one thing involving West Ham that people are not talking about but should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Brendan: I honestly don't think that Julen Lopetegui and West Ham are a good fit. Lopetegui will probably go on to have success, but not at West Ham. Some things can't be communicated or forced, they simply need to flow, especially at a club like West Ham. Find a way to tweak tradition and you'll find the key to West Ham's evolution.

Dazza: It's pretty clear that our new manager does not yet know his first choice starting XI and therefore by definition he does not have a set strategy or plan for the team. Disaster looms

Tarquin: Although we bought so many new decent players that would improve our first team in the summer, Lopetegui just isn't giving them enough minutes. He's sticking with the same old team that struggled in the second half of the season last year. Why is he still starting Michail Antonio? He's old, slow, tired and can't take his man on anymore.

Jan: No one has said why we have loaned James Ward-Prowse out to Nottingham Forest. Ward-Prowse was one of our most influential players last season. None of the new midfield recruits have shown themselves better than Prowsey. Also Aguerd was loaned out with no replacement coming in!

Tyler: We are not talking about how we won't invest in a decent proven manager. We need that boost to get to the top six again. David Moyes was decent but we need a proven consistent trophy-winner like Jose Mourinho.

Arlo: Over recent years we've had a fantastic academy, with our under-18s even winning the FA Youth Cup in 2022-23. Despite this, I cannot think of a recent youth player bar Declan Rice getting a look in with the senior team. It's like we refuse to utilise our own talents! We even spent £25m on a youngster from Brazil who has only played four minutes!