In the midst of Carlos Tevez' one-man crusade to prevent West Ham dropping down a division, the Upton Park faithful lost their talismanic Argentine striker in a protracted summer transfer saga to Manchester United but embarked on last season with fresh hope and anticipation in what the club labelled: 'A new beginning'.
Indeed the £7.5million arrival of Wales striker Craig Bellamy from Liverpool and the £3 million capture of Freddie Ljungberg from London rivals Arsenal offered great promise to the clubs supporters, added by the signings of Scott Parker and Kieron Dyer from Newcastle.
However, the upbeat aura at Upton Park was short-lived after a succession of long-term injury woes to all their new signings, and several other first-team players, blighted their campaign. Despite the difficult circumstances, Alan Curbishley guided the club to their target of a top ten finish.
Yet comparisons were naturally made to Charlton (under Curbishley's regime) after an impressive start to the season descended into mid-table obscurity after reaching the comfort of 40 points. This season Curbishley will be desperately keen to change that perception and propel his side into the European reckoning – or face the 'tin tack'.
Manager:
Alan Curbishley
Not a fans-favourite, but a tried and tested manager boasting plenty of experience in the top flight. The former West Ham player has steadied what was a very rocky ship at Upton Park but finds himself under constant pressure to deliver great expectations of the club, with the club's new Italian director of football Gianluca Nani there to remind him.
Last season:
10th - 49 points
The pot:
The current credit crunch crisis is believed to have put constraints on Curbishley's spending power this term, after having two seasons with an open cheque book. The club's owners, administered by Icelandic bank Landsbanki (who are going through a slight recession at present) will provide necessary funds to Nani to attract exciting European youngsters to the club, however.
What they want / need:
A clean-bill of health for their first-team for a start. Last season Curbishley was forced to call on the club's academy, placing great reliance in the exciting England under-19 duo Freddie Sears and James Tomkins to steer him through troubled times. In terms of signings, additional firepower up front is certainly desired, as is another full-back and a midfield playmaker.
Who their targets are:
Nani has been tasked with finding the world’s wonder-kids and already a long list of unproven teenage talent has been linked to the East End this summer.
But Curbishley would rather bring-in proven quality with Reading striker Kevin Doyle heading his wish-list for a reported £7.5million fee, while Everton's Andy Johnson remains in-demand.
Special One:
Eidur Gudjohnsen would provide a perfect link-up to strikers Dean Ashton and Craig Bellamy. With the obvious Icelandic links to the club's benefactors, the former Chelsea player is understood to favour a move back to London ahead of Newcastle and Portsmouth, who are also tempted by the £4million-rated attacker, deemed surplus to requirements at Barcelona.
Expect to see:
Slaven Billic swiftly drafted in to replace Alan Curbishley, should the West Ham manager endure an awful start to the season
Don't expect to see:
A rapturous Upton Park reception for Blackburn's Paul Ince, when he makes his first return to West Ham as a manager.
