Premier League 14/15: Team By Team Preview And Predictions

12. West Ham United

Last Season: 13th Manager: Sam Allardyce Opening Fixture: Tottenham (h) Transfer Activity: Sam Allardyce has addressed the issue of Andy Carroll's injury problems leaving West Ham short up front by brining in two strikers, Ecuador's World Cup star Emner Valencia (Pachuca) for £12million and ex-Birmingham forward Mauro Zarate (Velez), and Allardyce has publicly stated that he'd still like to bring in yet another striker. Aaron Cresswell (Ipswich) and Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal), two of the most promising young full-backs in England, have joined the club too, with the former joining for around £2million and the latter signing on a season-long loan. Diego Poyet (Charlton), son of Sunderland boss Gus, and Cheikhou Kouyate (Anderlecht) have also signed for the Hammers. There have been several notable departures from the club this summer including Joe Cole, Jack Collison, Callum Driver, George McCartney, Jordan Spence, Matthew Taylor, Alou Diarra, Raphael Spiegel and Stephen Henderson. Possible Starting XI: Adrian; Jenkinson, Reid, Collins, Cresswell; Diame, Noble; Downing, Nolan, Jarvis; Valencia Key Player: Winston Reid Verdict: Sam Allardyce is a good manager who gets results, there is no question about that, but he has never been a manager who plays 'attractive' football and that is something which West Ham supporters find difficult to accept. The negativity surrounding the club and particularly Allardyce at the moment makes it hard to see anything other than a solid season at best for the Hammers. They shouldn't find themselves anywhere near the relegation zone with players like Winston Reid, Aaron Cresswell and Mohamed Diame in the squad, but the top half of the table may be just out of reach too. Prediction: 12th