Source: Daily_Mail
Premier League preview: The Hammer won't be coming down on West Ham's Premier League stay
The Hammers got lucky to avoid relegation with 35 points last season.[LNB]The same meagre return is unlikely to be good enough this time without basket cases like Portsmouth and Hull around to help ailing Premier League teams.[LNB]Avram Grant, having managed under Roman Abramovich and Pompey's various owners, is unlikely to be freaked out by the challenge of working well with Sullivan and Gold. [LNB]His chances of success are improved if he can keep the likes of Parker, Green and Carlton Cole but West Ham's crippling debts mean no guarantees. [LNB] Stop, Hammer time: West Ham must improve on last season if they are to avoid the drop again[LNB]Boss's toughest jobPicking the team. More through enthusiasm than anything else, owners Sullivan and Gold get involved in team affairs. All well and good until it undermines Avram Grant.[LNB]Hiccup on horizonThe club wants to move into the Olympic Stadium. An 80,000-seater stadium would be good for business long term but meanwhile a move appears unlikely and the club lacks other options.[LNB]The numbers game4 - Number of times they've won their first match in four of the last five seasons8 - The number of opposition players sent off against them last season23% - Percentage of their goals from headers last season[LNB]Alternative sponsorcash4gold.com If all else fails, why not trade in the co-owner?[LNB]Ins/Outs In - Thomas Hitzlsperger (Lazio, free), Pablo Barrera (Nacional, £4m), Frederic Piquionne (Lyon, £1m), Tal Ben Haim (Portsmouth, loan)[LNB]Out - Guillermo Franco, Ilan (both released), Matt Fry (Charlton, loan), Bondz N'Gala (Plymouth, free)[LNB] Pick of the bunch: Frederic Piquionne proved he works well under Avram Grant when the pair were at Portsmouth[LNB]Keep an eye out forRobert Hall Age: 16 Position: Striker[LNB]Given the Hammers' lack of striking options, the England Under 17 star could be in the mix sooner rather than later.[LNB]Fan's viewBen Townsend: A mid-table finish and a cup run should be possible with Avram in charge, though steadying the ship is main priority.[LNB]Fans' websitewww. kumb.com[LNB]Sportsmail's lowdown on all the Premier League teams
