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2006-09-03 22:06:34
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Article by David Walker |
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West Ham United
Odds: 500/1
Last Five Seasons
2005/06 - 9 (Premiership), 2004/05 - 6 (Championship, Promoted), 2003/04 - 4 (Championship),
2002/03 - 18 (Premiership, Relegated), 2001/02 - 7 (Premiership).
2005/06 Cup Progress
FA Cup Final vs Liverpool (n) - lost 3-1 on penalties with the score 3-3 after extra time.
Carling Cup Third Round vs Bolton Wanderers (a) - lost 1-0.
Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Marlon Harewood (striker) - 16 goals.
Players In
Tyrone Mears (Preston North End - £1,000,000), John Paintsill (Hapoel Tel Aviv - £1,000,000), Jonathan Spector (Manchester United - £500,000), Carlton Cole (Chelsea - Undisclosed), Lee Bowyer (Newcastle United - Free)
Players Out
Elliott Ward (Coventry City - £1,000,000), Carl Fletcher (Crystal Palace - £400,000), Shaka Hislop (Dallas - Free), Darren Behcet (Yeovil Town - Free), Chris Cohen (Yeovil Town - Free), Petr Mikolanda (Mlada Boleslav - Free), Yaniv Katan (Maccabi Haifa - Loan), Trent McClenahan (Released), Darren Blewitt (Released), Matthew Read (Released), Sekou Baradji (Released).
West Ham United enjoyed a successful first season back in the top flight by securing a ninth placed finish and also UEFA Cup football following their appearance in the FA Cup final.
Impressive campaigns from both top goal scorer Marlon Harewood and record signing Dean Ashton, who joined the club in January, have seen the pair linked to other clubs but both seem intent on remaining at Upton Park. Harewood was linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, while Ashton was linked with Newcastle United following the retirement of Alan Shearer.
Manager Alan Pardew hasn't lost any key players and has added to the squad in time for a tougher challenge next season in England and abroad. He added Carlton Cole from Chelsea to an already formidable attacking line up after the 22 year old failed to establish himself at Stamford Bridge.
Defenders were high on the manager's wish list during the summer, with Ghana defender John Paintsil arriving from Hapoel Tel Aviv in a £1 million deal. Paintsil, who is adept at both right back and in central defence, played in all four of Ghana's World Cup matches and signed a four year contract.
Preston North End right-back Tyrone Mears signed for an initial £1 million fee which could rise to £1.9 million, depending on domestic and possible England appearances while Manchester United youngster Jonathan Spector joined for an initial fee of £500,000. The 20 year old American spent last season on loan at Charlton Athletic having made just eight appearances since moving to Old Trafford in 2003.
Verdict
West Ham will find next season a much tougher proposition with the added strain of UEFA Cup football. If they manage to keep hold of Harewood and Ashton and Carlton Cole starts firing, they could well maintain their top 10 position next May.
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