Where To Now As Hammers Plot Mass Clear Out? (Part 1)

The West Ham United team that takes to the pitch at the beginning of next season will be barely recognisable from the team that played most of this season, the injured will have returned and the 'lame' released as Manuel Pellegrini looks to take his team to that 'unicorn' of targets, a top six place in the Barclays Premier League. In the past, many have tried and in most cases failed miserably, although 'H' Redknapp did manage to achieve a top six finish once back in 1999!

Andy Carroll will have signed off in the same way as he joined the club seven years ago, injured and his 'strike partner' Lucas Perez will have departed to Spain, as will Pedro Obiang. Sam Byram's Hammers career will end before it ever really began and old stalwart Adrian San Miguel will be off to pursue being a number one keeper, probably in Spain as well.

There will be a lot of soul searching when it comes to the team's midfield, Manuel Lanzini hasn't exactly caught the World on fire since his return from his dreadful cruciate injury but will probably come good, whereas skipper Mark Noble will come under increased scrutiny as his performances wane with his increasing age. Much loved, Noble will most likely be moved in to some form of coaching role sooner rather than later, however the club has just given him a lengthy and generous deal so it will be interesting to see how that pans out, the club could be put in a position where they might have to sell 'Nobs' to get his salary of the books.

Robert Snodgrass is another who will be casting their eye over their shoulder, Pellegrini obviously likes him but he isn't getting any younger and he may well find himself in the shop window as youth is encouraged. The 'youth' factor will become more pertinant as the divide between the cash rich clubs and the others less fortunate gets greater despite FFP, promoting players from within is the only way Hammers can even get a sniff at the top six, the recent investment (massively overdue) in upgrading Chadwell Heath is a sign of this direction, you never know perhaps one day the once famous academy will become the conveyor belt of young talent that it once was, young players know that they spend a much better chance of getting a game rather than just being benched, or in Chelsea's case become one of a 'gazzilion' players going out on loan and never playing for the first team! - Ed