2011/12 Season Preview: West Ham United

The 2011/12 VitalWatford season preview draws to a close with West Ham the final side under scrutiny...

Gaffer: Newly-appointed Sam Allardyce. The former Bolton and Newcastle boss might not boast the sort of football ardent Iron fans want to see and it sure is effective so for now, they might have to live with it.

Position 10/11: Abject 20th in the Premier League.

In: Matty Taylor (Bolton Wanderers, undisc.), Kevin Nolan (Newcastle United, £4m), Joey O`Brien (Free Transfer) and Abdoulaye Faye (Free Transfer).

Out: Danny Gabbidon, Lars Jacobson, Jonathan Spector, Demba Ba, Matthew Upson (All Released), Manuel Da Costa (Lokomotiv Moscow, undisc.) and Radoslav Kovac (FC Basel, undisc.).

Star Man: Probably for not much longer, Scott Parker. The born-again England international has been the heartbeat of the Hammers side for several seasons now but fell short of his usual miraculous escape act last season as the Hammers fell out the top-flight. Suited by the likes of Chelsea and Spurs, he might not be around much longer.

Best Business: Kevin Nolan. The new United skipper, signed for £4m from Newcastle United where he was no longer wanted thanks to his high wages. A great scorer of goals from midfield, Hammers fans will expect to be treated to the chicken dance plenty of times over the course of the season as he aims to drag the East Londoners back up, kicking and screaming.

Prediction: Promotion, it shouldn`t be any less for Allardyce and co.