West Ham’s impending move to the Olympic Stadium will be an exciting time for everyone associated with the club. Leaving the Boleyn Ground after so many years there will be a bizarre experience for many a season ticket holder, although this sadness is tempered with the feeling the club looks to be heading in the right direction.
David Gold and David Sullivan are clearly extremely ambitious about what their beloved West Ham can achieve and this season shows that they may well upset a few people. Europa League is guaranteed for the Hammers in 2016/17, but their last campaign has still been a remarkable considering they were tipped for relegation at the start of the season.
With the Olympic Stadium move, West Ham will now have not just a top ground to play in, but a promising squad with an astute manager to anchor this period of change for them. In light of these new exciting times for the Hammers, here are 3 reasons why West Ham can try to break into the top four next season:
Talented Squad
The present West Ham squad is not short on panache or muscle and last season was a glimpse of how they are managing to close out games now under Bilic. You need a rock-solid defence to win titles, it’s that simple. Robert Huth and Wes Morgan at Leicester last season, have been a throwback to simplistic, and rather crude defending, but they have got the job done. West Ham actually have a group of rather more cultured defenders, Angelo Ogbonna, James Collins, Winston Reid and James Tomkins, and could – with the right tactics – make their back line as impenetrable as the Foxes.
And in Dmitri Payet they have arguably one of the best players in his position at the moment, someone they could build their team around, with healthy support from a talented bunch of youngsters in Reece Oxford and Ashley Fletcher.
Astute manager
Slaven Bilic is an extremely likeable, sharp, astute man and manager. Bilic seems to develop a close relationship with his players and this transmits itself to fans. The West Ham boss is incredibly popular with both the media and football fans up and down the country.
His affable persona is coupled with an unrelenting desire to win that could make his side quite a force in the coming season. With several new signings already made, Bilic seems to be the right man to lead West ham into a new era at the Olympic Stadium.
Increasing Global Profile
The Olympic stadium move has already started turning heads in favour of the Hammers throughout Europe now and makes them an desirable proposition for players. With the revenue from the television deals pouring in this season onwards, they have the financial clout now to go after and attract top players.
West Ham will also be able to develop a rousing atmosphere around the massive Olympic Stadium and, if you thought the Boleyn was tough to play at, it could well become one of the most feared away days.
In addition, a fittingly ambitious ownership with resolute support for the manager will only augment West Ham’s appeal globally.