Paul: Best squad in a very long time but they will need time to get the new system working. Feels like the team love the new system and will be better for more time together on the training ground and in match play. The mix of experience and youth is very good, it seems super Tim Steidten can really pull the strings now. It's a new beginning.
Carl: A much more positive outlook both tactically and in the transfer market. We really have some good players now and once they have gelled together with the manager's ideas I think top six is not out of reach!
Geoff: West Ham are going to struggle - too many new faces have to learn how they each work. New manager to make his mark but overall I feel West Ham are a long way from challenging for top half. Battling to avoid relegation - unless every player lifts their on-field performance.
Chris: I think we’ll finish between 10th and 14th position wise. We signed a few good players but we’re still short of a forward with pace. We should be dipping into the out of contract players not only for a centre half but for a forward.
Michael: Very mixed….Kilman looks a great signing and Summerville is promising. Can’t see the point of Rodriguez, no different from Alvarez and am not happy about Ward-Prowse leaving. That’s 10 goals a season let go. Fullkrug looks like a slower version of Danny Ings so Antonio will still be our main striker when he’s 46 probably.
Rob: In just three Premier League games under Lopetegui we can already see a change for the better in terms of creative play, passing and ball retention. Given the quality in the new look squad I’m sure this will soon produce more goals for and less against!
Hammers scour out-of-contract marketpublished at 17:05 4 September 2024
17:05 4 September 2024
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
I attended a PFA organised pre-season training camp for out-of-contract players in Leicestershire last week, jotting down my thoughts in this article about free agents potentially being 'gold dust' for clubs.
It was a reminder that just because the transfer window has closed, it is still possible to sign players.
West Ham are one of the Premier League clubs who could get involved.
Nayef Aguerd's deadline day loan move to Real Sociedad and Kurt Zouma's departure for the Saudi Pro League left them with three central defenders, Maximilian Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo and Konstantinos Mavropanos.
That is one short of the ideal number, so now technical director Tim Steidten is looking to see what is available in that particular market.
Former Liverpool star Joel Matip has been mentioned as one alternative.
Expect a new arrival to be in place before preparations begin in earnest for the trip to Fulham on 14 September.
How do you feel and what do you predict?published at 13:05 4 September 2024
13:05 4 September 2024
The dust has settled on the transfer window, the Premier League is well and truly back, and we are heading into the first international break of 2024-25.
So we want you to predict where West Ham will finish in the Premier League this season - thinking about their start to the campaign and summer transfer business.
Gossip: West Ham consider Hummels movepublished at 07:13 4 September 2024
07:13 4 September 2024
West Ham are considering a move for 35-year-old former Germany defender Mats Hummels, who is a free agent after leaving Borussia Dortmund. (Times - subscription required, external)
'We have reasons to be excited for what's to come'published at 12:40 3 September 2024
12:40 3 September 2024
James Jones Fan writer
There's no shame in losing to Manchester City. Especially this Manchester City, which is led by the most prolific striker in Premier League history.
But, much in the same way we saw a lot of things to be positive about in the previous two league games of the season, our 3-1 defeat to Pep Guardiola's side on Saturday evening gave us several more reasons to be excited for what's to come.
On paper, it's been a tough start to the season for West Ham. We've played two of last season's top four, one of those being the current Premier League champions, and had an away trip to a side that finished as the most in-form team at the end of last term. There will have been many predicting the Hammers to have zero points after three games.
Instead, we have three, and could've had more had we not conceded so late on at home to Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the season.
The fixtures aren't going to get much easier, either. We still have to play Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United before November, with difficult away trips to Fulham and Brentford in between.
But if we play like we did against Manchester City we can be relatively confident that good results will follow. That's because there were moments in the game that had West Ham causing City some problems. We hit the woodwork twice and forced Ederson into a couple of really good saves.
Against any other team in the Premier League the result may have been different on Saturday. As the squad continues to gel and get used to Julen Lopetegui's style, we'll only get better and stronger.
It might still be early days, but that's why I'm very excited to see how the rest of this season plays out.
Gossip: Hammers look at free agents Matip and Eganpublished at 07:26 3 September 2024
07:26 3 September 2024
West Ham are interested in 33-year-old former Liverpool defender Joel Matip and 31-year-old Republic of Ireland international and ex-Sheffield United player John Egan, as they look to the free-agent market for a new centre-back. (Sky Sports), external
Hammers 'will have a very decent season'published at 15:53 2 September 2024
15:53 2 September 2024
BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.
Stephen asked: Hi Phil, interested to know what you think about the early stages of Julen Lopetegui's reign and how they might get on this year? It feels like there are some positive signs starting to emerge despite the loss to Manchester City.
Phil replied: I’d say mixed, Stephen but that is only to be expected. They might have hoped to get more from the home game against Aston Villa but they were beaten by an outstanding side in Manchester City.
The win at Crystal Palace hinted at what they could become and things are just settling down. New manager in Julen Lopetegui and lots of new players. I think West Ham will have a very decent season.
Jim: Don’t think West Ham were embarrassed. Put City under a lot of pressure at times that they really don’t like. Without Haaland, the game would’ve been much more equal score-wise and we’re still trying to bed in the new players and manager. There’s a lot more to come from this Hammers team.
Gerald: Early days, however the performance was very much like David Moyes at the helm. I would prefer a team with an all-out attack mindset. City are an exceptional team so trying to beat them playing counter-attacking football does not work.
Harry: I think we played all right in the second half. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is amazing, and for £15m is an absolute bargain. The new signings need time to gel and we need to take our chances more often but, apart from that, very good from the lads.
Brian: A work in progress. We played the top side and gave it a go. Some new signings are settling in faster than others. By Christmas, we shall have a much better idea of a regular team.
City fans
Scott: How many more superlatives can we bestow upon Haaland? The numbers are incredible, the variety of goals he has scored is phenomenal, yet he sometimes looks embarrassed with the ease it comes to him. The humility he shows, the praise of his team mates and his awareness of the task ahead all show the measure of the man. I am very grateful to be witnessing it.
Darron: City started slowly, but settled and scored and should have been four up by half-time. It was a soft own goal for the equaliser. For me, Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku did not capitalise on the space West Ham allowed them in the first half. In the second half, the midfield was too easily overrun as West Ham pushed for an equaliser. Awesome finishing from Haaland - he looks so sharp!
Tim: Another ruthless performance and hat-trick from Haaland. The three goals were different in execution and gave City the deserved victory. Overall, an excellent team performance with notable players like Grealish, Haaland, Ederson and Bernardo Silva putting on a masterclass. West Ham were unlucky not to get back in game but job done for the league leaders.
Derek: We were sloppy at times, and if West Ham had been granted some good fortune, the scoreline could have been tighter. I worry when we are so open at the back. Saying that, we did the business.
West Ham 1-3 Man City: What Lopetegui saidpublished at 20:15 31 August 2024
20:15 31 August 2024
Image source, Getty Images
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui speaking to BBC MOTD: "It is true City is one of the best teams around the world for sure, in history, but it is true too that in the second half we have been very close to a draw. I think we have played one very good second half.
The start has been very good for us too, but against this kind of team if you make a mistake they don't forgive. This is the difference they have, one of the differences. A little mistake they punish you, they punish us. One bad moment for us.
On Erling Haaland: "That’s right, they can score, make incredible actions showing one of the best players in the world. It was a pity because the team made a big effort.
"He is one of the best players in the world, that's why he plays for Manchester City. You have to compete with these kind of players. City has the power and the quality to create chances.
Today I think the first goal was a pity for us but I’ve said it. I was happy with the performance think we were able to draw but again they damage us."
West Ham 1-3 Manchester City: Did you know?published at 19:51 31 August 2024
19:51 31 August 2024
Image source, Getty Images
West Ham are winless in 10 Premier League home games against Manchester City (D3 L7).
Only against Manchester United between February 1994 and November 2005 have they been on a longer run without victory against a single opponent (11 games).
West Ham 1-3 Man City - Hammers undone by Haalandpublished at 19:38 31 August 2024
19:38 31 August 2024
Gary Rose BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Trying to take points off Manchester City is a difficult task for any side, let alone when they face them with Erling Haaland in the form he currently is.
The Norway striker scored a hat-trick - his second in a row - as Pep Guardiola's side claimed a 3-1 victory at London Stadium.
If not for his current deadly prowess in front of goal, however, West Ham may have got something from this game.
They were a distant second best in the first half but were much improved after the break, particularly after Mohammed Kudos hit the woodwork.
But they did not capitalise on their improved spell as their finishing proved poor, substitute Niclas Fullkrug summing it up in the closing stages when he stabbed wide from a promising position.
The Hammers have taken three points from three games so far, but their defeats were against City and Aston Villa - who are likely to be up challenging the top four again this season.
Sutton's predictions: West Ham v Man Citypublished at 11:02 31 August 2024
11:02 31 August 2024
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.
For week three, he takes on MOBO Award-winning drum & bass legend and producer Adam F.
Sutton's prediction: 1-3
I can't see anyone stopping Manchester City at this time, they just dominate teams, dominate games. I think that City will win this one.
West Ham, it looks like Michael Antonio will lead the line. I love Niklas Fullkrug and would love to see him get a start, I don't know whether he will because Antonio was on the bench in the League Cup. I think West Ham will score but I think Man City will score more.