Big prediction for next season

Kevin Nolan is backing the Hammers big time this season.

The former skipper clearly still has much affection for the club and believes they have the ability and quality to become the best of the rest outside the top six.

Nolan – love him or hate him – is usually a decent judge and is looking forward to a big season from the squad after last year’s injury problems and bright finish to the campaign.

With players returning from injury – and assuming a season – when there are no more…a big ask in West Ham terms – Nolan, like the rest of us, has every right to believe we can close in on the top six.

With Manu Lanzini and Andriy Yarmolenko on the way back and hopefully Winston Reid fully fit the Hammers have a squad which should be capable of mixing it with any outside the top six and some of us believe within it.

He told whufc.com: “I was delighted with how the side did over the season. I think, this year, West Ham have the quality and the squad to be the best team outside the top six, and that should be the target next season. 

“With the money invested, and with Pablo Fornals coming in from Villarreal, it’s another statement of intent from the owners and Manuel Pellegrini that they want to go even better. The mentality of the club, with the investment, is to be looking to break into that top six. 

“With the acquisitions and players like Andriy Yarmolenko coming back – and he’ll be like a new signing – I think it will be interesting and exciting. The fans have a lot of cause to be excited about the season to come. 

“I’ve been speaking to Nobes [Mark Noble] about Pellegrini and he says he’s always talking about being a big club and not being frightened and being able to play on the big stage. I’m looking forward to seeing West Ham play in the new season. I think last year was a good season for West Ham and Pellegrini, and now they have to improve on that.”