West Ham United

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After a heavy loss to relegation favourites Wolves at the weekend, former Premier League defender Stephen Warnock has questioned whether West Ham players have "lost a bit of faith in the manager".

Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo labelled their first-half performance at Molineux "embarrassing" with the 3-0 defeat leaving them four points from safety.

"They are in big, big trouble," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Breakfast Club.

"They have made a couple of signings during the week but you always wonder what kind of influence they can have. Also, where they are at as a dressing room – have they lost a bit of faith in the manager and what he is doing?

"They are in a position now where if Nottingham Forest were to beat them, you just start to worry.

"The problem you get with the new signings coming in too is they have not played in the Premier League, so it is how quickly they can adapt and play under pressure.

"There is huge pressure at that football club at the moment."

Ex-Aston Villa and Brentford head coach Dean Smith agreed and added: "They've got new signings but I never think January is a great month for signings. There becomes a slight desperation when you're looking to bring players in.

"But they definitely need some players just to have fresh faces in the dressing room because they need a bit of change at the moment.

"I do [think Nuno is the one to get them out of trouble]. He knows the league, he's been in the league a long time, getting Wolves promoted a long time ago and he did so well at Nottingham Forest last year too.

"[But] nine games without a win and they need to turn that around quickly. The game against Forest on Wednesday is massive, they can't lose that."

Listen to the full discussion from 01:50:00 on BBC Sounds

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

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Mike: The great escape is on! A good performance all round, albeit against a poor West Ham team. They dominated possession but did nothing with it - we scored three goals and their keeper made three great saves. Sa had nothing to do but deal with crosses. Excellent three points now back it up with a win at Everton in midweek.

Rhys: A shocking performance by West Ham but, saying that, our first half was simply stunning. I think just about every Wolves fan now loves Mane after his ridiculous performance, ripping away the West Ham defence. The Hammers got hammered!

Robert: Performances have been improved in recent games. This is well overdue, and while we won't avoid relegation, maybe we have found some pride.

West Ham fans

Phillip: I can forgive anything except not trying hard enough. There are a lot of players in the group who clearly have no self-respect. At least look as though you care! I have followed West Ham since 1967 and have never seen such low commitment to the cause. They deserve to be relegated and I think it is almost a certainty now. Sullivan deserves no better.

Bullet: The two worst centre-backs in the history of the club, a midfield that prefers to pass the ball backwards and a non-existent forward line. That is West Ham. It is painful to watch.

Barry: Gutless display. This should have been a cup final and Wolves clearly treated it like that. We came out as if we were in a training game. No leaders on the pitch and no leadership from the sidelines. We are completely rudderless. Sullivan and Brady have ruined our club. We will be in the Championship for some years.

Argentina striker Taty Castellanos, 27, is set for a medical at West Ham before completing a £27m move from Lazio. (Talksport), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pundits Alan Shearer and Jermain Defo join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brighton 2-0 Burnley

• Wolves 3-0 West Ham

• Bournemouth 2-3 Arsenal

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Is time running out for Nuno Espirito Santo at relegation-threatened West Ham?

The Portuguese tactician replaced the sacked Graham Potter back in September, but the Hammers have only won twice under his reign and are currently on a nine-game winless run in the Premier League.

And the manner of their 3-0 defeat by bottom side Wolves leaves Nuno and his players with plenty of questions to answer.

The visitors failed to register a single shot on target at Molineux on Saturday, generating an xG of just 0.25 compared to Wolves' xG of 1.52.

Moreover, they now have the worst defence in the Premier League, having conceded 41 goals in 20 matches - taking over that unwanted tag from Rob Edwards' men.

Nuno took over after Potter was dismissed following only eight months in charge with the club 19th in the table.

But three months under Nuno and they are still stuck in 18th place and four points adrift of 17th-placed Nottingham Forest with a relegation six-pointer against Sean Dyche's side coming up next.

A win at home against the fellow relegation strugglers on Tuesday might just buy Nuno some breathing space but lose it and the questions over his future will only grow.

With confidence shattered and the threat of relegation growing week by week, the next 90 minutes could define West Ham's season and Nuno's time in charge.

Nuno Espirito Santo spoke to BBC Match of the Day after West Ham's defeat against Wolves: "Nobody expected us to play so bad. A real poor performance today."

On what went wrong: "I wish I could answer properly. Now is the moment for us to reflect and think are we doing everything we can? Do we realise the situation we are in? And how to get out of this situation and improve. There are things that need to be addressed.

"The first half was embarrassing. I apologise to our fans who travelled. This is not what we want to show them.

"It is a complex situation. The club is working on that situation [transfers]. We have problems in terms of squad and options but that is not a justification for what we did in the first half - the mistakes we made, the lack of effort... it was very bad. It was about mistakes we made over and over again that was really poor.

"Nottingham Forest will be a tough game but now is about reacting and transforming and improving."

West Ham's Konstantinos Mavropanos speaking to Sky Sports: "We understand the fans frustrations as well, when we concede two goals like this, it's normal they react like this.

"The first half was not on the level we want. In the second half we tried to show some character but we didn't really create anything. it is what it is now."

On the manager: "For him so far it's difficult for the fans especially. I don't think this team deserve to be in this situation really, I'll say it again the only people who can change the situation is us. We have to bounce back as quick as possible, the next game is in three days, we're disappointed to come out and lose."

Did you know?

• West Ham are now winless in their last nine Premier League matches (D4 L5), their longest run since their final nine games of the 2010-11 campaign when they were relegated.

• The Hammers have conceded 41 goals in the Premier League this season, their most after 20 games in a top-flight campaign since 1965-66 (44).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Wolves' performance

What did you make of West Ham's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

There's just one change for Wolves as Santiago Bueno returns, Matt Doherty makes way.

Wolves XI: Sa, H Bueno, S Bueno, J Gomes, Arias, Hwang, Arokodare, Mosquera, Mane, Krejci, Tchatchoua.

Subs: Johnstone, Doherty, Wolfe, Andre, Strand Larsen, Chirewa, Hoever, Lopez, Gonzalez.

There's two changes for West Ham as injured duo Lucas Paquetá and Jean-Clair Todibo are replaced by Crysencio Summerville and Dinos Mavropanos.

West Ham XI: Areola, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Scarles, Potts, Magassa, Fernandes, Bowen, Summerville, Wilson

Subs: Hermansen, Igor, Golambeckis, Mayers, Rodríguez, Kanté, Earthy, Souček, Pablo

There are four games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest (12:30)

• Brighton v Burnley - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Wolves v West Ham - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Bournemouth v Arsenal (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Brighton v Burnley" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Arsenal", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Wolves' performance in their draw with Manchester United underlined what I already thought.

Yes, they have lost a couple of key players in Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri, but they have still got enough in their squad to have done far better than they have this season.

This is a massive week for West Ham, with their relegation rivals Nottingham Forest up next after this game.

The Hammers are looking pretty desperate, but their recent away record actually is not too bad. They were well beaten at Manchester City but, before then, they drew three in a row at Bournemouth, Manchester United and Brighton.

They probably feel under less pressure when they are on the road but I am still reluctant to back them to win anywhere at the moment.

I feel the same way about Wolves, who have now gone half the season without a victory. Let's call this one a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Wolves will attempt to win for the first time in the Premier League this season against a West Ham United side who have not won away from home since August.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes going into Saturday's meeting at Molineux.

Can Wolves end winless run?

Wolves begin the new year having earned their first point since 5 October at Old Trafford on Tuesday to end a wretched run of 11 defeats, although the Premier League's bottom side remain in dire trouble with half of the campaign remaining.

Rob Edwards said his players deserved more following the 1-1 draw and while Wolves' head coach praised a "good performance and progress" after winning the first point of his tenure, drastic improvement in terms of results is needed in short order if the West Midlands side are to mount any kind of realistic challenge at avoiding relegation.

Wolves are only the second side in top-flight history to fail to win any of their opening 19 matches, and the first since Bolton Wanderers more than a century ago.

Wanderers have drawn their opening league game in three of the past five calendar years, but Edwards' men simply must start taking three points as soon as possible and a home match against a West Ham side beset by struggles of their own is surely a must-win fixture.

Wolves started 2025 with a home match against a team managed by Nuno Espirito Santo but on that occasion, they lost 3-0 to Nottingham Forest.

Such a result against a relegation rival would feel almost terminal this time round, particularly against a visiting side who have failed to win any of their past eight league fixtures – their longest run without victory in the competition for nearly 15 years.

West Ham's struggles under Nuno

West Ham's struggles are longstanding, although their prevailing issue so far this season has been an inability to keep clean sheets. The Hammers have done so on just one occasion in 2025-26 - against Forest on 31 August when Nuno was the opposing manager.

That 3-0 triumph at the City Ground was also the only time this season that West Ham have gone on to win a Premier League match in which they have scored the opening goal (D3, L2) and Nuno's defensive approach when in a winning position has regularly attracted the ire of supporters in this campaign – a tendency compounded by a drop-off in most metrics since the former Wolves boss replaced Graham Potter in September.

West Ham's switch to a counter-attacking approach is yet to pay off, with the Londoners averaging fewer points per game, scoring fewer goals and conceding more on average under Nuno than his predecessor.

West Ham, though, tend to start the calendar year in a positive fashion.

The 4-1 defeat by Manchester City at the beginning of 2025 was their first opening defeat in the past eight calendar years, while the Hammers have not lost their first fixture in consecutive calendar years since 2008.

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves at Molineux Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On opponents Wolves: "They are tough, every game in the Premier League is tough so we expect at Molineux a very tough game. Both teams in need."

• He said he wants to see his side "perform, compete and make the point [against Brighton midweek] really valuable".

• He described the forthcoming fixtures as "huge" as West Ham face Nottingham Forest, who remain above the drop four points clear, just three days after Wolves.

Listen to live commentary of West Ham v Wolves on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 GMT on Saturday

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

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham have confirmed striker Niclas Fullkrug has joined Serie A side AC Milan on loan until the end of the 2025-26 season, with an option to make the transfer permanent.

The 31-year-old Germany international joined the Hammers for £27m from Borussia Dortmund in August 2024 but has struggled in England, scoring just three goals in 29 appearances.

Fullkrug posted on Instagram: "The past one and a half years didn't go as I - and surely you all - had imagined. Above all, I want to thank you for your support, even when things weren't always easy.

"There are truly special people at WHU, and I am very grateful for everyone I met and the relationships I was able to build. Wishing you all the best for the rest of the season."

West Ham have agreed to sign Lazio's 27-year-old Argentina striker Taty Castellanos for 29m euros (£25m). (Fabrizio Romano), external

The Hammers continue to pursue Fulham's Spain winger Adama Traore, 29, although his wage demands could prevent a deal from being agreed. (Telegraph - subscription), external

And West Ham are interested in out of favour Chelsea and England winger Raheem Sterling, 31. (Talksport), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

A normal Premier League season may run from August to May, but what happens if we stop the table now? What if it was only what happened in 2025 that counted?

With the calendar flicking over to 2026, this is the ideal time to check back on which teams have had an enjoyable 12 months and see who had a year to forget.

The top five is an accurate reflection of this season's top five (although it should be noted not all teams have played the same number of games).

Arsenal have led the way this campaign and, after coming up short last season, they will be striving to go one better to finally secure an elusive first Premier League trophy since 2004.

If looking just at the past 12 months, the title would be theirs, despite a number of draws early in 2025.

Having gone through their worst run of form under Pep Guardiola late in 2024 and early into 2025, alongside their initial poor start to this season, it may be surprising to find Manchester City so close at the top.

But a feature of this City side under Guardiola is their ability to recover from less than impressive starts and go on winning streaks - they are currently on a run of six wins in the league.

Aston Villa fans can look also back fondly on 2025, having experienced the return of Champions League football, secured more European football again this term and found themselves in a battle for the Premier League trophy.

They may have had a slow start this season but their general consistency in 2025 and a club record-equalling run of 11 straight wins in the final weeks catapults them into the top three.

Having won the title with ease last season, Liverpool fans can still revel in that achievement. But a drop-off at the end of 2024-25 and a poor run this time around leaves them fourth for the year.

Meanwhile, Chelsea made progress in 2025 under Enzo Maresca, with Champions League football and two bits of silverware, but a lack of consistency in a young team prevents them ascending higher than fifth.

When looking at the next five, there are perhaps some surprises.

With their FA Cup win, 2025 will go down in Crystal Palace's history, and their Premier League form has not been too shabby either as they compete with the teams that have occupied Champions League spots in recent seasons.

No Thomas Frank, Bryan Mbeumo or Yoane Wissa? No problem for Brentford. They may have had a summer of upheaval but that has not stopped the Bees buzzing as they continue to perform above expectations.

After a few years of struggles on and off the pitch, 2025 seems to be the one Everton fans can finally start to look up rather than down with the new stadium and return of David Moyes bringing much-needed stability.

Newcastle may have had a few ups and downs, but they have come good when needed and hold their own in the top six, while Brighton continue to establish themselves firmly in the top 10.

Find out how the bottom half of the table shapes up on the post below

Now, what about those who may have had a less enjoyable 2025?

Manchester United continue to try to find their feet under Ruben Amorim. And while there have been glimmers of progress in recent weeks, a torrid first half of the year has left them with much room for improvement (and a draw with Wolves to end 2025 only added to the questions).

Bournemouth and Fulham both seem to have found consistency in their ability to be inconsistent.

There have been bursts of form from both, but also bouts of disappointment they might rather forget.

As for Nottingham Forest, 2025 may have been the year they returned to Europe for the first time in nearly three decades, but when it came to results in the league, particularly this season, it has been more of one to forget.

Under their third head coach of the season, they will hope 2026 does not bring the return of Championship football.

Like Forest, Tottenham's 12 months has been memorable for both the good and the bad.

A first trophy in 17 years was secured in the Europa League, but it has been far from impressive in the Premier League, managing just 11 wins from 37 matches and some pressure already building on boss Thomas Frank.

One of the most notable things about the bottom end of the calendar year table is the presence of all three promoted teams, despite two of the three having played a game less than the relegated clubs of last season.

With Leeds nine points better off and Sunderland 17, it highlights the disparity in how well this year's promoted sides have done in comparison to the previous three.

For the Black Cats, it has been a dream return to the top flight, including a recent win over Tyne-Wear rivals Newcastle, and in this season's table they find themselves just two points off fifth.

After overcoming a difficult patch, Leeds are also enjoying their return to the top table, slowly pulling themselves away from the danger spots.

It has been more of a struggle for Scott Parker's Burnley, but they will not lose hope with still half a campaign to go.

After recent successes with European football, domestically things have become a harder watch for West Ham supporters as they struggle to find the balance between good football and much-needed results

Then there is Wolves - and fans may want to look away.

Despite playing 20 Premier League games more, the West Midlands side accumulated only one point more than Sunderland across the year.

A win this term still eludes them and safety in 2026 appears a distant dream.

Check out how the top half of the table looked in the post above

Manchester City's 30-year-old Netherlands defender Nathan Ake has rejected a potential move to West Ham. (Talksport), external

Crystal Palace forward Eddie Nketiah's chances of joining West Ham have been scuppered after the 26-year-old forward suffered a hamstring injury. (Talksport), external

Meanwhile, West Ham are closing in on a deal for 21-year-old Gil Vicente striker Pablo, with the Portuguese expected in London for a medical. (Guardian), external

And finally, the Hammers are preparing a bid for 29-year-old Spain and Fulham winger Adama Traore. (Football Insider), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

James Jones
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Best memory and why?

There have not been many good memories in 2025. The only one that really stands out is the 1-0 win at Emirates Stadium in February. It was our second successive season of derailing Arsenal's title challenge by winning in north London against all the odds. It was all downhill for us from there.

Worst memory and why?

Where do I start? The entire year has been one to forget. We're on course to record the fewest number of wins in a calendar year in the club's history and that ha come just two and a half years after lifting a European trophy. Our fall from grace has been monumental, and this year especially has been a complete shambles. We thought we'd finally become a regular competitor in the top 10 of the Premier League and in European competition, but now we are in severe danger of being relegated. How does that even happen in such a short space of time?

If I could drink a New Year's brew with one member of our squad/management it would be...

Jarrod Bowen. I would ask him what it is like to carry an entire football club on his shoulders. I would also ask him what it is like to score the winning goal in the final minute of a European cup final for West Ham United. He has lived the dream of every single West Ham fan on the planet by achieving that and has cemented himself as a club legend by doing so.

The thing that's infuriated me in 2025 is...

All of it. Literally all of it. It does not just infuriate me - it breaks my heart that we have allowed ourselves to fall to where we are now.

My gut tells me 2026 will bring...

More of the same, unfortunately. Until serious changes are made at board level, I fear we are on a slippery slope back to the Championship, and this time there are no guarantees we will come straight back up.

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

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We asked for your views on who West Ham should sign as a striker in January after ending their interest in Wolves' Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: Joshua Zirkzee on loan from Manchester United may help us score some goals and actually win some games!

Joe: I think we should go for reliable goalscorers, players like Aleksandar Mitrovic or Divock Origi. Get one (or both) on short-term deals with massive bonuses if the club stay up.

James: I feel like Josh Sargent from Norwich City would be a good signing. Yes, he is playing in the Championship but is a proven goalscorer. Given the position they currently find themselves in, I would expect Norwich to want to keep him but as we know, every player has their price.

Greg: First of all this is classic West Ham and I guarantee on deadline day we will try to get a loan with an option to buy and then be told we tried to get him but couldn't. I'd like them to look at Jonathan Burkardt in Germany as he's been scoring lots lately.

Magnus: Jorgen Strand Larsen would have been an OK choice but there is better out there for West Ham. I think Jhon Duran is a great shout.

Jim: Bring back Michail Antonio!

Mike: Can Geoff Hurst find his boots?

Image source, Getty Images

With West Ham feeling top striker target Jorgen Strand Larsen is overpriced by Wolves, their search for forward reinforcements must turn elsewhere.

So who do you think can solve the Hammers' goalscoring issues?

Keep it realistic - and send us your ideas.

Tell us here