Tony Cottee: "Saturday’s defeat was a massive setback and what’s particularly disappointing is that we failed to build on our early lead.
"It would have been a huge mental blow to Newcastle if we could get a second goal, but we did not push forward, let them back into the game and we were punished.
"Boss Avram Grant chose to play a 4-3-3 formation and with Scott Parker, Valon Behrami and Mark Noble in the middle, we struggled to get midfielders into the box.
"All the best sides have goal-scoring midfielders like Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes and it is something we lack at the moment.
"We also seemed to lack a plan B on Saturday, which I have often criticised both the Hammers and England for in the past.
"We were too quick to try and play a direct ball to Cole and although it worked at the start of the match, Newcastle adjusted and nullified the threat."