Predicting the 25-Man Squad: 09/07/15

Goalkeepers: Adrian, Darren Randolph
Adrian has been one of the best keepers in the league since taking over from Jussi Jaaskelainen in December 2013, and has quickly become a fan's favourite, not least for his penalty heroics in the FA

Heroics.

Cup 3rd round against Everton. Randolph, described rather optimistically by one of my mates as 'the best keeper in the Championship' joined early this summer on a free transfer from Birmingham, and will provide Adrian not only with competition for his place in the Premier League, but also with some rest during domestic and European cup competitions.



Defenders: Joey O'Brien, James Collins, James Tomkins, Winston Reid, Doniel Henry, Aaron Cresswell, Stephen Hendrie

Best LB in the league. Maybe I'm biased, though.

Much the same group as last season, with the addition of Hendrie as backup to Hammer of the Year Aaron Cresswell, Bilic will potentially be looking to add another right back to this group, with Carl Jenkinson being touted for another year-long spell at Upton Park. The centre-back group of Collins,
Reid, and Tomkins, alongside potentially Henry and Burke, with Reece Oxford as backup (should an injury crisis hit again), is a solid group to have. The rumoured addition of Angelo Ogbonna would bolster both centre-back and full-back positions as well. An extra CB and one more RB and this group could carry West Ham to a decent finish in the league.

Cheikhou Kouyaté v2.0

Midfielders: Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan, Cheikhou Kouyaté, Pedro Obiang, Diego Poyet, Stewart Downing, Dimitri Payet, Morgan Amalfitano, Matt Jarvis
The club have acknowledged a need to free up wages before being able to spend more money on new players, and it is widely agreed that the players we need to ship out from this group are Jarvis and
Nolan, with Downing drawing huge interest from Middlesbrough. Alex Song is a name being banded about as a potential new signing, although it seems that West Ham have lost out to London rivals Crystal Palace in the race for the services of Yohan Cabaye, which to me is a big shame. If Jarvis and Downing do indeed leave, Bilic will surely be looking for another winger or two, with only Payet and Amalfitano to call upon from this group.


Attackers: Mauro Zaraté, Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia, Andy Carroll, Modibo Maïga

Destined to lead the line again.

In a similar fashion to the midfielders, I would be surprised if Gold and Sullivan weren't looking to move Modibo Maïga on after a relatively successful loan spell at FC Metz last season. I imagine that they would then go out and look for a relatively well-established striker with at least a little bit of Premier League experience. This could come in the form of Loïc Remy from Chelsea, although considering his wage demands, a loan move from January might be more realistic, especially if Mourinho manages to wrap up another signing to go alongside Costa and Falcao. Zaraté, Sakho and Valencia will certainly have their work cut out when they have to compensate for the inevitable loss of Andy Carroll to injury after only 8 games and 3 goals. With Bilic wanting to compete in all 4 competitions this season, it is of vital importance that West Ham's strike force is firing on all cyinders wherever possible this season.

Notable Players Eligible to Play, but Not Included: Raphael Spiegel, Reece Oxford, Reece Burke, Josh Cullen, Elliot Lee

The Future's Bright. The Future's Bilic.

Following the spring of discontent in E13, Davids Gold and Sullivan decided it was time to bring to a close the Big Sam era at Upton Park, and now the club are embarking on one of the biggest seasons in their 120-year history. Here are just a few things for the fans to get excited about:

1) Slaven Bilic

#WelcomeSlaven

Bilic, who played 48 games for West Ham in the late 90's had been a front runner for the job long before Allardyce left the club, having stated his interest in the position on a number of occasions. Coming from a 3rd place finish in the Turkish Superlig as manager of Besiktas (who, it should be noted, played every game away from home last season), Bilic brings with him tactical nous and relatively attacking football, especially considering the dross the fans dealt with after Christmas under Allardyce. Personally, I think he'll bring a tenacity to the job that will excite fans and players alike, and his personality will certainly make West Ham and interesting place for new players to ply their trade.

2) The Last Season

Having been called "home" for 112 years, this will be the final season that West Ham spend at the Boleyn Ground, and everyone involved with the club in any capacity is absolutely clamouring for a great season. Expect 35,000 people packed in every week, and almost certainly there will be tears when Swansea come knocking on May 7th 2016 and E13 9AZ closes its doors for the final time. There's so much more to look forward to beyond May, as well.

                                                    3) An Influx of Players

Bonjour Dimi!

Relatively quietly going about their business so far, the Hammers have already signed Darren Randolph from Birmingham, Pedro Obiang from Sampdoria, and most intriguingly, Dimitri Payet

from Marseille. Randolph will provide stricter competition for Adrian in goal, while Obiang and Payet are additions to a growing squad, which is vital for European competition this coming season. No doubt there will be a number of players to be signed between now and the close of the transfer window, which will strengthen the team in a number of positions.

4) Transfer Talk

With the addition of three new first team members by late June, the board will no doubt be looking to add more big names, and with the rise and rise of Twitter's ITK sources, fans have a greater connection with what's going on than ever before. @ExWHUEmployee is a really reliable source for West Ham transfers, and his sources have told him that interest in players like Alex Song and Yohan Cabaye is high, as well as wanting to add Carl Jenkinson and Mattia Destro on loan. Such signings would not only mean that the team can build on their 12th place finish last season, but also try to push on in domestic and continental competitions alike.

Thursday Nights on ITV4

5) The Return of European Football

Nine years since being dismantled by Palermo, and 15 years on from an Intertoto Cup win against the likes of SC Heerenveen and FC Jokerit, European nights are back at Upton Park. Beginning with a walk-in-the-park 3-0 victory over Lusitans of Andorra, West Ham will be hoping to progress through qualifying to the group stage, although they'll have to get past Lusitans and either Birkirkara (Malta) or Ulisses FC (Armenia) before they can even think about that. Thursday nights at the Boleyn are bound to be special, especially when you consider the magnitude of this season for the club. Hopefully the team do themselves proud, and continue the way they have begun in Europe.

6) More Exciting Football

Mentioned earlier, Bilic's tactical knowledge of the game brings with it an increased opportunity for West Ham to use their players to the best of their abilities. Attacking threats like Sakho, Valencia, Zaraté, Payet, Carroll, Downing, and even Jarvis and Amalfitano will be used to the best of their abilities. With a midfield boasting the likes of Noble, Kouyaté, Obiang, Poyet, and potentially Song, the defensive minded nature of the middle of the field will likely allow the forwards to pose a greater threat to opposition defences, and hopefully the goals will come crashing in.