2005-06 record
League 9th
FA Cup Runners-up
Carling Cup 3rd round
ALONG WITH WIGAN ATHLETIC, West Ham United were the success story of last season and proved that, with good management and substantial but shrewd expenditure, it is possible for clubs who have just been promoted not only to survive in the top flight but also to flourish.
Most had predicted Alan Pardew would find himself out of a job by Christmas. How wrong they were. A Uefa Cup place and one FA Cup Final later, Pardew was being hailed as a miracle worker at Upton Park, and rightly so.
Pardew will have his work cut out as he attempts to emulate that success this season, especially as he will be obliged to juggle his squad as they face up to the twin demands of domestic and European football, but having fine-tuned an already strong and fit squad over the summer, the manager has every right to be setting his sights on another top-ten finish.
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The arrival of Carlton Cole, a £2 million acquisition from Chelsea, should strengthen an attack that already was formidable. Dean Ashton, for one, will be brimming with confidence after his deserved call-up to the England squad.
The retention of Yossi Benayoun amid reported interest from Arsenal is a bonus, while Tyrone Mears and Jonathan Spector will bolster the defence.
Manager Under pressure until West Ham returned to the Premiership, Alan Pardew transformed opinion over his tenure at Upton Park with a top-half finish last season and an FA Cup final appearance. If the Hammers continue to impress, he will be bullet-proof
Player to watch Nigel Reo-Coker grew into the role of skipper last season, narrowly missing out on a place in the England World Cup squad. He sets the pre-match music and the upbeat rhythm of an energetic team. From midfield, he is the fulcrum of the team
In an ideal world With the experience they gleaned from last season, West Ham will hope to consolidate their return to the Premiership. With Anton Ferdinand’s defensive stability, Yossi Benayoun’s creativity and Dean Ashton’s goalscoring potential, which has been recognised by the new England coach, the Hammers have the players to challenge even for a European place
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INJURIES AND SUSPENSIONS
Matthew Etherington (knee, one month), Anton Ferdinand (hamstring, days)
PRE-SEASON
Unspectacular, both on the pitch and in the transfer market, but Alan Pardew only ever needed to make a few sensible additions and he has done that
TICKET SALES
The 25,000 season tickets have virtually gone — an increase of nearly 3,000 on last season — while at least 5,250 tickets are made available on match days
If they were a historical figure they would be...Sir Edmund Hillary
Reached their peak last season. From here it’s all bee-keeping