betting
West Ham
By David, BettingExpert.com | Edited
Financially hammered
Debt-ridden and unable to cover for that anytime soon, like the bigger and indebted clubs of the Premier League can, it is set to be a season of despair for West Ham fans. The new arrivals have got quality though and may be their salvation if they get a little less unlucky in the next months.
Coach: Grant
Tactics: 4-2-3-1
Players In: Obinna, Jacobsen, Barrera, Ben-Haim, Piquionne, Hitzlsperger, W. Reid, Boffin
Players Out: Diamanti, Daprela, Mido
Current Probable Formation: R. Green, Faubert, Jacobsen, Upson, Ilunga, Barrera, Noble, Parker, Dyer, Boa Morte, C. Cole
Manager Grant has braced himself for what is going to be a
harsh season of austerity that already seems like a death sentence for the
Hammers. He is resolute in trying his hand at an impossible job like last
year’s at Portsmouth and, although he did not manage in making up for the point
reduction and preventing his side from an 
early drop into the Championship that
last time, he does sound convinced that he has a better team now. His major
change is probably in the tactics, opting this time round for a more offensive
approach, which states that West Ham will be going all out for their main
objective of avoiding Championship football.
Amongst the newcomers are a number of internationals that should find a stable place in Grant’s team. Danish international Jacobsen, who played for Blackburn, should make the right-back position his permanently. Obinna, who plays for Nigeria and has been loaned out by Inter, will not take long to go fill up the space in attack alongside another two strong strikers – Carlton Cole, considered one of the team stars, and Piquionne, whom Grant brought along with him from Portsmouth. Mexican forward Barrera has also joined the Londoners and should be betting on the few early chances to strike an affinity with his manager.
The propensity for attacking of most of the midfielders at Grant’s disposal and the number of valuable strikers available makes his plans for an offensive West Ham side possible. Cole should spearhead the offensive attempts with Boa Morte, Obinna and Piquionne likely to be fielded at the same time too. That is if Scott Parker and Noble prove capable of giving the right cover to the defence, which if left on its own is quite a vulnerable part in Grant’s imperfect machine. Should that not be the case Behrami can easily be included in the starting line-up in place of one of the forwards. The Swiss international can support the attack whilst casting an eye at the left-side threat of the opponents. That is until he is sold, with Roma still interested in wrapping up a deal next January.
The question of whether Carlton Cole will finally live up to
his name and start banging in the goals as expected from him still lingers.
Despite being given regular time on the football pitch he has not managed to go
over the ten-goal mark in the past two seasons. His attacking partners are even
less effective in 
front of goal so it will be more responsibility for the
ex-Chelsea striker who ought to have reached higher levels by this time of his
career.
Parker and Upson have been the Hammer’s biggest ‘signings’. The chairman kept faith to his promise of keeping the duo and offering them new and improved contracts. Speculation had been rife about the two leaving as the club tried to overcome debt problems. Not only have owners Gold and Sullivan managed to keep true to their word but have also included another two players into Grant’s squad. On request of the manager himself they loaned Israeli international Ben Haim who had been at Grant’s side all along in his adventure in England, present at both Chelsea and Portsmouth. The other signing has been Hitzlsperger. The 28-year old German international has returned to England after his spell at Aston Villa. He may not have been as effective in those early days but he is now at the peak of his game and his contributions to the Hammers will be something that Grant won’t renounce once he gets used to his efficiency.
Goalkeeper Green is a young English promise, despite going close to destroying that expectation during the World Cup in South Africa last May. The more relaxed atmosphere at club level should help him regain confidence in his means. Central defensive duo Ben Haim and Upson should provide good cover although Gabbidon and Jacobsen are less effective on that front. Grant himself is not one renowned for his abilities at organizing a good backline either so this should inevitably be the Hammers’ weak point.
Predicted finishing position: 20th
West Ham’s offensive line-up and Grant’s aptitude for a more efficient striking force should make West Ham a danger for opponents …on paper. They will need to rely on an efficient goal scorer though and so far Carlton Cole has not lived up to expectations. Their weakness at the back will be their downfall if not compensated for by a return on their tactical investment in attack. Club debts should once again trouble Grant’s season, and if things are set to move down the same road as last year with Portsmouth and their own financial problems, it may be another 20th place finish for Grant.
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