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West Ham United: 2010 Team Preview | Odds

Matt Martz weighs in with Barclays Premier League 2010 futures betting article on West Ham United. Under second-year manager Gianfranco Zola, the Hammers barely avoided relegation finishing the 2009 season in 17th place…

English Premier League – West Ham United 2010 Preview

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Odds to win the 2010-11 Premiership outright: 1500/1

Under second-year manager Gianfranco Zola, the Hammers barely avoided relegation finishing the 2009 season in 17th place, just five points clear of the drop zone. This after securing a 10th place finish just one year before under interim Zola. It would not be enough for new former Birmingham City owners David Sullivan and David Gold, and Zola was sacked just two days after the conclusion of the season.

From the beginning, former ownership issues and the fate of Zola were always in the air, but It was not until new ownership took over that decisions were made to keep West Ham from being put into administration.

Now new manager Avram Grant will be in the hot seat to better last year’s performance giving the often-combustible Sullivan and Gold their money’s worth.

The former Portsmouth and Chelsea manager has a reputation for maintaining good player-coach relationships as well as acting as a buffer and liaison to ownership. The Israeli born Grant will try to infect his squad with the same passion that he induced on a Portsmouth side that despite being in administration, and with the future of the club uncertain, still played to their potential on their way to the FA Cup final. Bet on Soccer at Sportsbook.com

But the troubles for West Ham will be on the pitch for Grant. He will try to right a side that conceded 66 goals- fifth worst in the league– a primary reason for such a poor finish.

The Hammers’ defense, although not showing their potential last year, have the pieces in place to carry the squad to loftier heights. Robert Green and Matthew Upson have much to prove, which wasn’t always the case last season.

They will get a boost from newly signed Israeli defender Ben Haim, who came from Portsmouth, adding a little competition to remain on the starting XI. Haim’s presence may also be key in aiding the growth potential of 21-year old James Tomkins, a promising defender if not left to hold the backline alone.

Offensively the Hammers finished mid-table in 10th place with 47 goals. Striker Carlton Cole led the team and was 18th in overall, netting 10 strikes in last year’s campaign. But in order to compete at the top-flight level, the offensive output will need to nearly double in numbers.

To help with that task will be new additions Mexico International Pablo Barrera and ex-Portsmouth striker Frederic Piquionne. Former Bundesliga Thomas Hitzlsperger will also help to add some strength in a 4-3-3 system that is favored by Grant.

West Ham United 2010 Prediction: This year Boleyn Ground should be chalked full of optimism. With an ownership willing to get the Hammers into European competition, a new coach and the addition of some very skilled players, West Ham could easily find themselves in the top 10 in 2010.

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Matt Martz is a sportswriter for the Bakersfield Californian located in Central California. “ Football (soccer) is a game in which a handful of fit men run around for one and a half hours watched by millions of people who could really use the exercise.”