2007/08 Season Preview

By: Erick | August 10th, 2007

New Kit new kit away

With the season just one day away it’s time to get cracking on this humble little blog, so let me be quick and to the point!!!

Who’s In?: Scott Parker (Newcastle), Julien Faubert (Bordeaux), Richard Wright (Everton), Craig Bellamy (Liverpool), Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal)

Who’s Out?: Tyrone Mears (Derby), Nigel Reo-Coker (Aston Villa), Shaun Newton (Leicester), Yossi Benayoun (Liverpool), Paul Konchesky (Fulham), Marlon Harewood (Aston Villa), Carlos Tevez (Man Utd?), Teddy Sheringham

The Squad: (*denotes probable starters)

Goalkeepers: Robert Green*, Richard Wright, Jimmy Walker

Defenders: Lucas Neill (inj.), James Collins, Anton Ferdinand*, Matthew Upson*, Danny Gabbidon*, Jonathan Spector*, Calum Davenport (inj.), George McCartney, John Pantsil, Christian Dailly

Midfielders: Scott Parker (inj.), Matthew Etherington*, Hayden Mullins*, Lee Bowyer, Julien Faubert (inj.), Mark Knoble, Nigel Quashie (inj.), Luis Boa Morte*, Freddie Ljunberg*

Forwards: Dean Ashton*, Craig Bellamy*, Bobby Zamora, Carlton Cole, Hogan Ephraim

So on to the preview, right… So how many of you are sick and tired of hearing about Carlos Tevez and third party agreements? That’s what I thought, so let’s keep moving…

It’s an exciting time for West Ham supporters as this will be the first complete season under the ownership of Egghead Eggert Magnússon and his deep pocketbooks, and also the first (hopefully) complete season of Alan Curbishley. I’d like to point out the fact that although West Ham barely managed to stay in the Premiership last season (thanks Carlitos), that they also managed to win seven of their last nine games. Pretty impressive eh? Now that the dust is starting to settle from “the saga”, and a few malcontents *cough Reo-Cocker *cough have been shipped out it’s time for West Ham to show their true worth. Easier said than done though because for one, it is the Premiership, and two, that’s what West Ham supporters were saying last season when they managed to sign Carlos Tevez & Javier Mascherano, and we all know how that turned out.

So what to expect? Well I’d like to assume that having Lucas Neill and Matthew Upson from the start of the season will put less pressure on defenders Anton Ferdinand (who had a very dissappointing season last year) and James Collins. Danny Gabbidon is also a solid player at the back and should do well to replace Paul Konchesky who left for Fulham. Former Man Utd prospect Jonathan Spector should be able to cover the right back position and hopefully he will finally show the world why he was snatched from American soil at such an early age. McCartney, Pantsil, Dailly & Davenport will most likely not be starting barring any injuries to the aforementioned players.

In the midfield we have the nice addition of Scott Parker, who is not only a very versatile player, but should lead the team by example with his strong and consistent effort. Unfortunately, highly touted (and French International) Julien Faubert is out until at least February of next year, but should be well replaced by Calvin Klein Model Freddie Ljungberg. Although well past his prime, Freddie can still open up some spaces on the flanks and cut through opposing defenders with his quickness and ball control. Luis Boa Morte is another strong player in the midfield who should give opposing defenders problems and hopefully Matthew Etherington can create opportunities like he did in the 2005/06 season when West Ham reached the FA Cup Final. Mark Knoble also showed signs of brilliance last season along with Hayden Mullins and should help round out a decent midfield with supporting players like Lee Bowyer.

The biggest addition to West Ham up front is not new signee Craig Bellamy, but actually a healthy Dean Ashton who managed to miss every Premiership game last season due to an ankle injury. Ashton has all the tools to be top scorer on this team, although most will probably place their money on Craig Bellamy who should be hungrier to prove himself from a very disappointing season last year at Liverpool and had a whole season of play under his belt unlike Ashton. Bobby Zamora and Carlton Cole are also very serviceable players up front and can provide strength in the box which many teams in the Premiership can’t (see: Utd, Manchester). I don’t know too much about Hogan Ephraim, but hopefully he can make his mark and help put a few in the back of the net.

In goal, Robert Green should see most of the starts, but Richard Wright could be given some starting opportunities if Green starts to stumble.

I think that’s enough to wet your appetite for today and I shall be back later with more info regarding the first game of the season at Upton Park where the Hammers will be hosting Sven and his Man City Dancers!!!