Hammers beating the age barrier

Slowly but surely it’s coming down and down as the Hammers – via Manuel Pellegrini and Mario Husillos – get to grips with what has been a long term problem within the squad – AGE!

The arrivals of Pablo Fornals and Seb Haller has helped the process again and if we take a look at 11 players who are likely to be involved on a regular basis this season things look pretty good.

With Marko Arnautovic , Andy Carroll, and Lucas Perez all shifted the club has got rid of three 30 year olds in one fell swoop and Haller at 25 looks a far tastier proposition.

Golakeeper Lukasz Fabianski inflates the average of the squad a bit at 34 but in outfieed terms we now have the youngest squad at the club for some time.

The eleven we took as being likely starters throughout the season with ages were: Fabianski, 34, Fredericks, 26, Masuaku, 25, Diop 22, Balbuena 27, Anderson 26, Rice, 20, Fornals 23, Lanzini26, Haller,25, Wilshere 26.

That gives the average age of just over 25 and even if you include Noble 32, Antonio, 29 and Snodgrass 31 that only increased the average to between 26 and 27.

A more youthful team means more athleticism and as things stand we are looking in pretty decent shape compared to previous years.

COYI