As many of you may know, this is West Ham’s highest league position since 1998-99. Yet this season has been somewhat more interesting. Being unbeaten to Chelsea and Liverpool was the highlight of the 98-99 season, drawing and beating each team once. Whereas the 2015-16 season has been full of thrills and goals, finishing with our highest ever premier league goal difference; quite considerably.
Not just this, but the points tally was also smashed by 5 points! An amazing season for us, but it could have all gone wrong… We had the opportunities to get managers such as Bielsa, but everything went wrong and we went for Bilic. Quite an inexperienced club manager and it certainly paid off, but with the early additions to this year’s squad, I think this year can only get better.
What will change?
The amazing Leicester City took the premier league by storm last year, with unbelievable team spirit and team performances. This year, I think Leicester are more likely to finish 7th or somewhere around the Europa league places, but you just cannot write them off! Whereas Everton, have got a new manager in Ronald Koeman who has proven to do well in the premier league, they are also making some big signings and rumoured with some great players.This is a big year for Everton, they have the
This is a big year for Everton, they have the possibility to make the Europa league spot with their squad, but whether it will be another year of disappointment or not, we are yet to know. With the appointment of Jurgen Klopp half way through Liverpool’s season last year, people were calling this a ‘huge statement’ and branding Liverpool as title contenders. This was not the case, one man cannot change everything and I think we all know that Klopp’s first year was to build and stabilise the squad. The year ahead of us could see Liverpool pushing for that champions league spot, but I don’t think they will quite make it.
Of course, we also have Chelsea… I am not quite sure what to think of this team next year, they could quite literally finish anywhere in the top 10. I personally think they will scrape a champions league spot, the first game of the season against West Ham will be key for both sides. Now i have named the teams I think will challenge around West Ham, where do I think we will finish?
With the addition of a striker (If Bacca joins) and squad depth added, we could have a fantastic season. Depending on how serious Slaven decides to take the Europa league is key to where we finish, I am going to say 6th. It is so difficult to call where we will finish as there are about five teams gunning for the Europa League places.
What will make this year better than last?
Last year we added some fantastic players to our squad, great coaching staff and of course, the fans turned out in their numbers. So how could this be improved on? Well, more additions to the squad is the start of the improvement; but I am sure fans would love to win a cup.
We can tell Bilic is someone who plays for a cup. Last year was a good cup run, ending disappointingly. We arguably deserved to go through at Old Trafford, but our performance in the return leg was poor. We hope to build on this and try and win the FA Cup this year, I would even love to win the League Cup (EFL Cup). Last year we lost in round 3 to Leicester (2-1 AET).
I think that replicating the atmosphere is key this year because for me it cannot be done. The Olympic Stadium is a step up from Upton Park, but the atmosphere will never be the same. Therefore, our fans must be as loud and intimidating to even get close to the Boleyn Ground. Whatever will be, will be for West Ham next season. All we can say is if it’s half as fun as last season; we are in for a treat.
Who needs to stay and who’s time is up?
The Enner Valencia of 2014, when played together with Diafra Sakho was lively, quick and often clinical. We cannot say the same for today. In fact, both strikers have taken a lazy approach to most recent games and performances have dropped. This has resulted in Diafra Sakho handing in a transfer request, with a mixed reaction from the fans.
I personally think, if the money we are getting for the pair then their time is up. I would have personally taken the initial £10m for Valencia and the bid that West Brom have made for Sakho (£14.5m) should also be taken. It seems we are looking for a little more, a possible £30m for the pair, which is quite remarkable. This could leave us with enough money to buy Carlos Bacca and a possible back up striker. I would love Mario Gomez personally.
He is getting on a bit, but certainly, hasn’t lost his talent and would score more than enough goals for the club. The players we have released I wish the best too, especially long servant Joey O’Brien. Another play who did not have the talent, but had more than enough effort. These players help free up wages for other players to join.
Keeping Dimitri Payet is bigger than everything I have mentioned above, one of the most talented players I have ever watched for the club and he is now showing it for his national team in Euro 2016. It will be very difficult to keep hold of him, but if we do and we buy a striker such as Bacca; things will start to be looking very good.
