West Ham United can be considered top four of the best of the rest outside of the Premier League’s top six. The Hammers, alongside Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton will be vying for the coveted seventh spot that means a Europa League campaign the following season. All four clubs have acquired impressive signings over the summer and improved their sides, meaning an intriguing battle lies ahead.
As a result, Manuel Pellegrini and his side face a tough battle. However, seventh is the aim and with impressive additions, it is the minimum they should expect.
Seventh is the Aim for West Ham United
Haller Has To Perform
There is high expectation surrounding new club-record signing Sebastien Haller. If the Frenchman can replicate the form he had at Eintracht Frankfurt last season, then West Ham will be well on their way to seventh spot and higher.
Last season Haller scored 20 goals in all competitions, including two in their 4-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League Round of 32. The 2018/19 campaign was Sebastien Haller’s best as a professional, which is a positive sign for the Hammers.
West Ham have had rotten luck with their strikers since for an extended period of time now. As a result, they will be hoping that Haller is the one to change their fortunes.
Make Use of the Cup Competitions
The Hammers have not made use of the domestic cups in the past few seasons. The last time they reached a semi-final stage of the cup was the 2013/14 League Cup, when they lost 9-0 on aggregate to eventual winners Manchester City.
As a result, Manuel Pellegrini needs to place more emphasis on both the League Cup and FA Cup. They wasted a golden opportunity last season in the FA Cup, as they lost 4-2 to League One side AFC Wimbledon.
Keep Making the London Stadium a Fortress, While Improving Away From Home
West Ham are gradually adapting to their new home at the London Stadium. As they head into their fourth season since the move from Upton Park, they need to make sure that they make their new home a fortress.
Last season saw both their best points return and number of wins since they made the move at the 2016/17 season. They collected nine wins and a return of 31 points at the London Stadium and lost just one game at home in the second half of the season. Manuel Pellegrini should look to improve on that form if he wants his West Ham side to make a serious bid for seventh.
West Ham Expectation
Unsurprisingly, it’s seventh and trying to break down the top six. Anything else is likely to be deemed a failure. The Hammers look to set to entail in a thrilling battle in this year’s Premier League.
However, if seventh evades them they should turn all of their focus to the cup competitions. They are promised a guarantee of Europa League should they win either of them, something West Ham should look to take advantage of.
It looks set to be another tight season at West Ham, filled with joy and jubilation.
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