Two pre-season games under the players’ belts at the moment, but the real test is yet to come. Pre-season results aren’t the be all and end all of the actual pre-season, it’s more about getting fitness back to high levels and getting used to playing 11 v 11 in a proper sized pitch again after a well-deserved break.
With four players in already and Enner Valencia having apparently passed a medical, that leaves us with only a few kinks to iron out, one would have to imagine the spending is nearly done. However, the rumours are still flying around with Loic Remy, Esteban Cambiasso, Ivan Strinic and Vitorino Antunes all linked in the rumour mill.
It’s very hard to judge the potential of the players at the minute but I think we have a good idea of their skill and ability. Aaron Cresswell was one of the best left-backs in the Championship for the last two years and Diego Poyet was the Charlton Athletic Player of the Year, despite only making his full debut in January.
Mauro Zarate had a decent showing during his spell at Birmingham City but declined slightly when he moved to Italy, scoring 27 goals in 126 games. He picked up again in his home of Argentina netting 19 goals in 29 games, 13 of which came in the league making him the top scorer. Cheikhou Kouyate has impressed a lot of people in the first two games and has been described by some fans as Yaya Toure-esque, which is very exciting, and he also brings European experience, which could be invaluable in years to come.
I think the spine of the team is a good mix of youth and the experienced. People can say what they like about Kevin Nolan but he has bagged a lot of goals for us and is the captain for obvious reasons. Mark Noble is a top class player and with Winston Reid and James Tomkins behind his I can see a lot of clean sheets again this season. Andy Carroll played well when he was fit last season, allowing Big Sam Allardyce to fully implement his ‘direct style’ of football. Stewart Downing and Matt Jarvis are average enough in my books and players are definitely needed in those wide positions. I fear we are buying Valencia for the wing which I don’t personally think is a good idea, and hopefully I’m wrong.
Finally, my prediction. I think we will definitely improve on last season. My prediction is based on the teams I think are better then us, obviously finishing higher up the table. I think for me we are, at the moment, definitely a top 10 team. Stoke City and Newcastle United both finished in the top 10 last season and I believe with the reinforcements we have added this summer we have a much better squad then Stoke and are on par at least with Newcastle. I think Southampton will really struggle this season and unless Everton get a top class striker, like Romelu Lukaku, I also think they will underperform.
I believe we can finish as high up as 7th this season. With Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs all finishing ahead of us. It would be a dream come through to see us finish ahead of Spurs and nip a Europa league spot, but maybe that’s a bit too greedy for this season.
hahhahahahahahahahahahahahahhhahahahy
Hahahahahahahahaha
Yeah… Who’s the manager? Oh… fat Sam…..
Another relegation fight ahead but will be exciting
hahaha…no! you should be more concerned about finishing above burnley!
Whatever keep dreaming hahahahahahahaha
Yes, if you invert the table.
What an amusing article, clearly you know nothing of footballing matters.
You’re ‘avin a laugh innit my ol’ chum. Best stay off the la la juice geeeeezer!
no problem – and I believe England will win the WC and UKIP the election
HAHAAHAHHAHAAHAAAHHHAHAHHAHHHAHHAHAHAAHHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHÀHHAHHHAHHAHHAAHAHHHAHHHAHHAHAAAHHAHHAHHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHA
They beat us a few times last season and now they think they’re rubbish excuse for a football team is better!!!!?? Hhahhha hahhaha jog on son
Spot on Jon, they’ll be lucky to stay up, pathetic excuse of a football club. Spanners
The Spuds going nowhere fast mate… The Hammers are a team on the rise, we will do you everytime we play you next season. Easy 6 points for us & hope we meet you in the Cups as well… COYI
Award for the twatiest comment so far.
You’ll get smashed first match against Spurs.
Haha one season you beat us 3 times and you are suddenly on the rise the way is only one way 4 you down.
Mate championship left back, a championship kid who had played a handful of games, an ex Birmingham City flop and a 24 year old that nobody had heard of until a few weeks ago because he’s shit and nobody wanted to rescue him from his shit Mexican club would have me creaming in my pants too and would definitely lead me to believe my team could go from dog shit to top 7. Silly article. Silly club. Silly fans.
if west ham stay in the prem thats a positive.
if they finish top half it would be a great success.
But when u start getting into the realm of finishing above spurs its time to get real.
There is a food chain in football and west hams place on it is far beleow spurs.
Thats the funniest thing I’ve heard in ages. Yoyo club in the top half.
This obsession with all thing Tottenham is unhealthy, Tottenham had a crap season last season and still finished 6th which means there were only 5 teams above them and 90 odd below them….and that was disappointing!!! West Ham need to have a season where they do not brush with relegation for most of it….that would be a good season for them……lol
Yet here you are on our site, you sure your not obsessed with the hammers! You lot crack me up
They have more chance of a blowie off the Pope! Fucking dreamers.Relegation a cert under Alladyce
Seems legit. 3 points for optimism, 3 points for delusion, 3 points for fantasy, and nil points for reality. But those 9 points may just save them from relegation, just
Before West Ham worry about their position in the Premiership or how many points they get,I think they should seriously look at themselves. A ground that looks like a fun fair,a manager who needs a charisma injection and a crowd who invented the word chav. Are they going to stay as bottom feeders or are they going to try and recreate the Greenwood era? I personally think that in the not too distant future they are bound for the championship.
HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA
Oh My God.
Think about fighting relegation my friend. XD
Haha you spuds fans getting your thongs in a twist when clearly you’ve not read the piece or maybe some of you can’t read? He’s asked the question and clearly stated that we won’t finish above you which is pretty much the standard answer! At least read the piece if you’re gonna comment on it; mugs!
I read it johnny boy ,why is it all wet spam fans have gangster names ,is to make us scared. You lot are our poor little neighbours clinging on to the figures6 points of last season . You lot need to concentrate on staying in the prom rather than always going on about us, offs sign a couple of players and maybe top four here you come or not . You are the dogs turn on our shoes now get the fool off .