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.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.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. 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. Stop, Hammer time: West Ham must improve on last season if they are to avoid the drop againBoss'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.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.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 seasonAlternative sponsorcash4gold.com If all else fails, why not trade in the co-owner?Ins/Outs In - Thomas Hitzlsperger (Lazio, free), Pablo Barrera (Nacional, £4m), Frederic Piquionne (Lyon, £1m), Tal Ben Haim (Portsmouth, loan)Out - Guillermo Franco, Ilan (both released), Matt Fry (Charlton, loan), Bondz N'Gala (Plymouth, free) Pick of the bunch: Frederic Piquionne proved he works well under Avram Grant when the pair were at PortsmouthKeep an eye out forRobert Hall Age: 16 Position: StrikerGiven the Hammers' lack of striking options, the England Under 17 star could be in the mix sooner rather than later.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.Fans' websitewww. kumb.comSportsmail's lowdown on all the Premier League teams