Dean Ashton stated that if Manuel Pellegrini is able to guide his West Ham side to pushing for a top-six Premier League place then it will be a successful campaign.
The former Hammers forward delivered the positive prediction of what fans of the London side can expect from their team in the upcoming season but claimed the club shouldn’t be expected to instantly jump into the top-six.
Ashton was asked by Laura Woods on Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk what would constitute success under Pellegrini following the club’s decision to spend big in the summer transfer window and gave a detailed answer.
“Pushing top six, pushing to get beyond Burnley who were in seventh and getting closer to that top six,” said Ashton on Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk podcast, via acast (48 minutes to 55 minute mark).
“It would be naive to think that suddenly they’re going to jump into the top six because it’s gonna take time not all of these signings are going to bed in and be superb straight away, certainly a lot of the foreign players need time to adjust.
“I’m expecting a good season, where they compete more so with the top-level sides and they try to push towards possibly an European place which they have done in the past.”
OPINION
It’s hard to argue with Ashton on his assessment on what would make for a successful 2018/19 campaign as he lays out some realistic goals. If the Hammers are able to compete with the so-called tougher sides in the Premier League and at least come close to pushing for a place in the top-six then fans will be happy. As the Sky Sports pundit states with several news recruits arriving at the London Stadium this summer, with some never having played in England before, there is going to be a settling in period. The question is how long that period will last as there is bound to be some new faces who will take to the Premier League like a duck takes to water. Hopefully Felipe Anderson is one those players who quickly feels at home in England as the Brazilian looks to be an exciting talent who will get supporters off their feet at the London Stadium. The winger should hopefully improve the club’s goal threat and cause several of his opponents to have nightmares when they face him in the upcoming campaign.
