Where have West Ham improved from last season?

Building on last season’s 13th place finish would have been the primary target for Sam Allardyce who continues to struggle in his effort to shrug the critics off his back. Four defeats in the last five games did little to lift the mood at Upton Park, although most fans valued having a manager who knows where it takes to remain in the Premier League. The new campaign has seen big changes at the club – both on and off the pitch – to create new-found optimism that West Ham were heading in the right direction. It has culminated in an excellent start which has not only illustrated that the future is bright, but also pointed towards a potential challenge for a Europa League spot and, more importantly, a top half finish. It may be the best time for punters to back West Ham to enjoy a successful season, with the club going into the international break in seventh place.

Big Sam

Football would not be the wonderful spectacle it is without the existence of opinions and beliefs, but it can often be a problem for managers when they become under pressure. Big Sam has never shied away from the level of criticism he has dealt with over the past two seasons, with West Ham fans expecting a much more exciting brand of football. Managers make a career from a particular style of play that they have perfected to get the best results, but there is a clear indication that 2014/2015 could see a ‘new’ West Ham emerge. The Hammers are now playing lovely, free-flowing football that is not only a joy to watch, but also effective in picking up victories. West Ham’s excellent 3-1 home victory against Liverpool demonstrated the considerable transformation from direct, long ball tactics to a short passing game that gets the very best from the players available. Changing his approach to football could be of great benefit to West Ham – and Big Sam himself.

Performance levels

A radical transformation of playing style has resulted in excellent performances on the pitch which should be applauded by West Ham fans. This is particularly the case for those who feel starved of any entertaining football, with a number of Hammers’ favourites hitting the ground running straight away in the new campaign. Stewart Downing looks a completely different player in a new central attacking midfield role, while Winston Reid and James Tomkins have come on leaps and bounds as a centre-back pairing. The players have already shown numerous characteristics that should stand the club in great stead for the future; twice coming from behind at Hull showed excellent fighting spirit, while commanding performances against Liverpool and Queens Park Rangers at Upton Park exuded real quality and wonderful attacking football.

Excellent transfers

Having an entire squad in form is any manager’s dream, but watching new acquisitions settle straight away and make a real impact is a much greater bonus. Four goals in his first five Premier League games represents a wonderful start for Diafra Sakho who already looks superb value for money; his sublime chip against Liverpool demonstrated the 24-year-old’s quality, and has taken to life in England like a duck to water. Enner Valencia has also made an immediate impression with West Ham fans, with the Ecuadorian international winger-cum-forward demonstrating blistering pace and trickery – not to mention a goal of the season contender against Hull.

Morgan Amalfitano and Alex Song already look at home in midfield and improved West Ham’s quality going forward and in controlling the tempo of a goal, but Cheikhou Kouyate and Aaron Cresswell could arguably be considered alongside Sakho amongst the best pieces of business Big Sam carried out during the summer transfer window. Kouyate already looks like the bargain of the summer, with the 24-year-old showing real quality in a midfield holding area, while Cresswell looks like he has played left-back in the Premier League for his entire career. Big Sam has wonderfully utilised the money made available by the owners to make big changes at West Ham that has resulted in a major improvement from last season’s mediocrity.