West Ham Season Preview: proven performers added

Last season, West Ham United left it’s 112-year home of Upton Park, moving to the London Stadium, where they finished 17 points worse off than the 15/16 campaign. Those more sympathetic might refer to 16/17 as a transitional season, others will say the stadium move should not excuse such significant regression. Supporter Brad Pinard gives us his views.

There’s no doubt that the stadium was very alien to both the fans and the staff, and it showed, but of course it can’t be a proper excuse for poor form. It was difficult at times to get an atmosphere going and tension in the stands during the first month or two won’t have helped, but it was poorly run unfortunately. You’d hope the players feel at home there now and so can kick on.

After the win against Swansea, there was an iconic shot of Slaven Bilic falling onto his knees in relief. Did the improved last seven games suggest the board right to stand by a manager who cares for the club?

Bilic clearly has passion for his job and West Ham, which is exactly what the fans will want to see. His tactical ability is still in doubt and a number of his long term transfer targets haven’t paid off – spectacularly. Having been backed this summer, it is time for Bilic to get the team playing the way he wants and scoring a few goals.

The club was accused of shopping on the cheap last summer and a lot of the signings didn’t work out. Are you glad you’ve signed proven, Premier League players this summer?

The transfer window has certainly been a pleasant surprise, all four of the first team additions will no doubt improve the team and squad which is exactly what was needed. Everyone knows Gold and Sullivan have significant funds they’re sitting on so it is positive to see them back the manager and make a statement with their wallets rather than their mouths for once.

Manuel Lanzini has had a good couple of seasons. Are you excited by the idea of him linking up with Javier Henandez?

Lanzini was one of few who shone again last season and his ability is wonderful to watch. A link up with Antonio, Arnautovic and Hernandez looks exciting on paper.

Aaron Cresswell appeared to be hampered by injury last year. Would you have liked another left-back to sign?

I personally think Arthur Masuaku has a good shout of being first choice left back this season. He outplayed Cresswell last term and looks a very solid defender. Cresswell’s left foot is valuable though and if he gets back fit and on form then he will be straight in. We don’t need a third LB I don’t think.

Angelo Ogbonna has signed a new five-year contract. Is he one of the Premier League’s more underrated centre-backs?

Ogbonna has adapted quickly to life in the Premier League and is certainly a key man defensively for West Ham now. We still looked very shaky at the back last season but Ogbonna and Reid with Hart in goal behind them should be solid.

You shipped 41 goals in 15 league and cup games against top six opposition. Will the additions from Man City, Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta, give you a bit of top level experience at the back?

For sure Hart and Zabaleta offer the experience we need. I like Byram and I hope he is given a run in the team, but leaking goals was a huge issue against all teams not just the top six, so Bilic needs a back 5 he can rely on and I’m not sure he trusts all of his defensive players.

The other player to sign is Marko Arnautovic. After a decent season from Michail Antonio, do you like your wide options?

Antonio is the sort of player every team needs and his attitude is impeccable. Bilic used him as a right back, right winger, left winger, number 10 and centre forward last season which shows he trusts him and Antonio’s improvement is admirable.

Him and Arnautovic are high class wingers and hopefully can hit the ground running this season. Away from those two though we look quite weak. Feghouli needs to be sold, but his extortionate wages will be hard to convince another team to pay and Snodgrass was not up to it at all when he arrived in January, but losing two squad players leaves us very short indeed. Another wing option would be my priority now.

Hammers aside, what are your thoughts ahead of the Premier League season as a whole?

It could be a really tricky season to predict, with the top clubs spending big and all in Europe for the first time in a while. Spurs at Wembley could be tricky for them and Arsenal looked to have signed well this summer so I wouldn’t like to predict the top 4 at this stage.

Where will you finish?

10th.

The Football Lab’s Verdict

Three Premier League title winners adds valuable experience at West Ham and Arnautovic is a quality wide man. With the team and fans a little more accustomed to new surroundings, we could see more of what this squad is capable of. 7th

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