It’s been a hugely rocky season for West Ham and they’ll be looking to write this one off already, focusing on the coming campaign.
The Hammers have picked up since midway through the season and are currently sat in and around the middle of the table, but the club’s start to the season under Slaven Bilic looked to promise treacherous consequences.
Fears of relegation were aplenty after a shambolic beginning to the 2016/17 campaign at the London Stadium and it’s certain that West Ham will want to avoid such an underwhelming start to next season.
It was a difficult time for the club and a period that will not be welcome again. So, what can they do to ensure that this season’s initial demise doesn’t repeat itself in August?
We’ve taken a look at five things that West Ham as a collective need to do to ensure that 2017/18 starts better than 2016/17 did for them.
Strengthen the full-back positions
It’s safe to say that West Ham are weak down the flanks. Alvaro Arbeloa’s first season will probably be his last, Sam Byram is still failing to convince and therefore defensive midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate has been filling in at right-back.
At left-back, Aaron Cresswell has more than enough quality but has struggled with injury, whilst Arthur Masuaku has also failed to convince.
Investment is certainly needed for the right-back spot, and potentially for the left-back position as well.
Give the youngsters a chance to impress
Reece Oxford has a glittering reputation and will have developed since his move to Reading. Edmilson Fernandes has shown a lot of promise, whilst Domingos Quina has also looked impressive. Reece Burke has looked sharp when called upon as well.
Why not see how the young players of the club get on in pre-season, then look to integrate them?
Experiment in pre-season
Slaven Bilic is a pragmatic manager and is often stubborn with his tactics, but maybe he should look to switch things up in pre-season by using a variety of formations.
Some will look better than others, but a fresh approach to the upcoming season could be beneficial.
Sign a top striker
The Hammers seemed to go through every striker on the planet before deciding to sign Jonathan Calleri and Simone Zaza on loan last summer, but they genuinely do need to go out and bring in a real goal scorer this summer.
Give Bilic financial backing
It’s all well and good stating that improvements need to be made to the squad, but the manager does need that financial backing from the board. It’s been a rocky season for Bilic but he needs to be provided with the funds to get West Ham back to where they belong.