David Moyes side made it through to the Europa League semi-final earlier this week with a resounding 4-1 aggregate win over Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais. It's a remarkable achievement from a side who were battling with the Newcastle to stay in the division just two seasons ago.
The Hammers are currently sixth in the Premier League and are still hoping to claw their way into the Champions League places but the hopes of a top four finish is fading. They could still qualify for the Champions League if they win the Europa League and will face Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-final.
Had you told any West Ham fan of their fate two years ago, they would have, no doubt, laughed in your face. However, Moyes has proven the 2020-21 season was no fluke and the Hammers have been competing at the top end of the division for a second successive campaign.
READ MORE: Eddie Howe to get 'ruthless' in ending Newcastle careers as 'richest club in world' truth told
The loan signing of Jesse Lingard played a big part in their success last season, and it was no surprise to see the Hammers maintain their interest, with Manchester United reluctant to sell to West Ham in January as their direct rivals for European football. The Magpies tried to emulate the Hammers success last season by signing Lingard in January, but an extortionate loan fee would see the England international stay at Old Trafford for the remainder of the campaign.
West Ham have recruited well in the past two seasons, whilst also developing the likes of Declan Rice into a world class midfielder, whether some would like to admit it or not. Moyes has signed the right characters, ones with international pedigree.
Newcastle should look to follow West Ham's approach towards recruitment, at least in the meantime. The Hammers look set to be playing European football next year in some form or another, and the Magpies will not be able to attract the best in the world until they can offer that.
Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal now look like bargains and the Magpies recruitment should look to do the same across the lesser known European leagues. A successful January window transformed the Toon's current campaign, and as West Ham have shown - anything can happen in football over the course of two seasons.
If Newcastle recruit the right characters in the summer and bring in players of European quality, there's no reason they can't be competing in Europe in two years time. After all, Alan Pardew's Newcastle side qualified for Europe after winning promotion from the Championship and it was a promise made by Amanda Staveley upon acquiring the club.
Investment into the academy will also allow the Magpies to craft their own Rice. The likes of Elliot Anderson and Joe White are coming through the youth ranks with plenty of acclaim and who knows, with the right education they could become top talents.
