Many expected a long line of players walking out the door this summer after our chairman placed everyone up for sale except Scotty Parker. Couple this with the 'terrible' state that the clubs finances are in and we were lead to believe that there would be more going out than coming in. But apart from a few fringe / loan players like Ilan, Mido and the likes there have been no major players leaving the club. In fact no less than FOUR new signing have been made with the promise of more apparently on the way in the next 72 hours.
A club statement read: “Club officials have stepped up their bid to secure a fifth signing and hope to have the deal finalised within the next 72 hours. The potential recruit is a young international, who represented his country to distinction at the World Cup.”
Of the players that have come in West Ham seem to have done some good business with the arrival of German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, Mexican winger Pablo Barrera, French forward Frederic Piquionne and the latest 'signing' being a 5 month loan deal for Tal Ben Haim - apparently he has a Groin problem that needs to be monitored but when fit he should add some strength to the back line and he has premierleague experience.
Hitzlsperger has been an instant hit and will add some steal to the midfield as well as a few goals. Barrera is lightning fast so the width that was missing last year should return with more crosses for the likes of Cole and Piquionne to get on the end of – the latter arriving from Lyon via a loan spell at Portsmouth under Avram Grant.
So that brings us nicely on to the new Manager – there were mixed feelings when Zola was given the boot just 48 hours after last season finished... In much the same way that we fans had mixed feelings about our new owners. However the feeling I have at the moment, which I think many fellow fans share, is, for the first time in a long time, one of optimism. In Avram Grant we have a Manager that has managed at the highest level. Given stability, time and the backing of the West Ham board he could build a west Ham team to go on to much bigger things. In our owners (if not everyone’s cup of tea) with have people that have Claret & Blue Blood in their veins, people that have a sustainable vision for the future of our club and it seems are happy to put their money where their mouth is and hold on to our top players.
It seems it will be hard to off-load a few of our fringe players, but unlike in previous years players like Parker, Cole, Behrami all seem to be staying at the club. If they can all hit the form we know they are capable of at the same time, along with the new signings, then we could have an exciting season ahead.
I for one will be happy with plenty of goals, good football, a cup run and a mid-table finish. Saying that, if we can just not have to worry about relegation for the last 2 months of the season I will still be pleased!!!!
Pre-season has seen 4 wins and a draw which is a good warm up for the players – mentally as well as physically. The 1-1 draw coming at Southend last night were both teams played mainly second string players.
We have a great game to look forward to this Saturday against Deportivo La Coruna at the Boleyn Ground and then the real test – away to Aston Villa on Saturday 14th August.
Remember you can watch EVERY West Ham game LIVE and completely FREE at www.hammerstv.com
COYI
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