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