West Ham made a successful return to the English Premier League last season, so can this East End club with ambitious plans consolidate their place in the top flight?
What happened last season?
Having seen off Blackpool in the Championship playoff final to make a swift return to the top flight, West Ham soon set about consolidating their position, opening the campaign with an impressive 1-0 win at home to Aston Villa.
That set the trend for the rest of the season, as the Hammers impressed in front of capacity crowds at their Boleyn Ground home, only to struggle for goals – and results – on the road.
The Hammers book-ended the campaign with an impressive 4-2 home win over Reading, however the issue of where the home would actually be in the foreseeable future began to dominate over matters on the pitch.
After more than a hundred years at Upton Park, the Hammers have controversially elected to move into the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, in a move that could have dramatic repercussions for a club looking to establish itself as one of the Premier League’s genuine top sides.
What happened in the off-season?
West Ham’s stadium plans have dominated debate for some time now, but on the pitch Sam Allardyce’s side continues to make progress.
Allardyce’s teams endure a reputation for a direct style of football, so it’s no surprise that bullocking striker and one-time Liverpool flop Andy Carroll has penned a permanent deal after enjoying a season-long loan spell at Upton Park during the last campaign.
Another Liverpool cast-off in winger Stewart Downing has also signed, as he joins prodigal son Joe Cole in a midfield now boasting plenty of guile to go alongside the grit of Alou Diarra and Mohamed Diame.
Why fans should be excited about the 2013/14 season
With their relocation plans confirmed and West Ham expecting to move into the Olympic Stadium for the 2016/17 campaign, Hammers supporters can look forward to at least three more seasons at their historic Upton Park home.
West Ham players celebrate with Mohamed Diame.
There’s some real quality on show in Allardyce’s squad this time around, with veteran Ukrainian defender Razvan Rat signing on to join the likes of Spanish goalkeeper Adrian, former Wolves midfielder Matt Jarvis and the aforementioned Carroll in a squad bristling with experience.
If the Hammers can find some form on their travels – and most importantly goals, after scoring a league-low 11 on the road last season – they should reasonably expect to trouble several of the division’s top sides.
However, much will depend on Carroll’s overall form and with West Ham lacking in depth in the striking department, a lack of goals could prove the Achilles’ heel for an otherwise solid looking squad.
The main man that can carry 2013/14 hopes
For the third season in a row, former Bolton and Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan takes up the captain’s armband at Upton Park and once again, this hard-working midfielder will largely carry West Ham hopes.
An inspirational figure in the centre of the park, Nolan enjoys a knack for popping up to score vital goals and he’s now registered double figures in each of the past four seasons, finishing West Ham’s top scorer with 10 league goals last time out.
While Nolan binds the side together in the centre of the park, much will be made of Carroll’s attempts to rediscover the form which once made him England’s hottest striker at Newcastle United.
The powerful front man scored only seven league goals last season and will need to improve his output if West Ham are to push on towards the European places.
Verdict – Mid-table
West Ham were far from overawed on their return to the top flight last season and the popular East End club should have plenty to look forward to this time around.
Coach Allardyce isn’t always lauded for his style of football however it’s difficult to argue with his results, and if the Hammers can coax some goals out of Carroll, they should find themselves comfortably ensconced in mid-table come the end of the campaign.
West Ham captain Kevin Nolan will again be relied upon for his experience.
West Ham United side to compete in 2014/15
Goalkeeper: (19) Luke Daniels, (1) Ben Foster, (13) Boaz Myhill.Defender: (na) Chris Baird, (14) Jason Davidson, (25) Craig Dawson, (16) Cristian Gamboa, (na) Joleon Lescott, (14) Diego Lugano, (23) Gareth McAuley, (40) Liam O’Neil, (3) Jonah Olsson, (na) Sebastien Pocognoli, (na) Andre Wisdom.
Midfield: (11) Chris Brunt, (17) Graham Dorrans, (na) Graig Gardner, (7) James Morrison, (21) Youssuf Mulumbu, (29) Stephane Sessegnon, (5) Claudio Yacob.
Forwards: (16) Victor Anichebe, (38) Saido Berahino, (9) Brown Ideye.
West
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