Players in: Youssef Sofiane (Auxerre, free); Raimond van der Gouw (Manchester United, free); Gary Breen (Coventry, free); Edouard Cisse (Paris St Germain, season loan).

Players out: Rigobert Song (Lens, £1m); Hayden Foxe (Portsmouth, £400,000); Shaka Hislop (Portsmouth, free); Craig Forrest (out of contract); Paul Kitson (out of contract); Steve Potts (out of contract); Gary Charles (retired).

Last season: Seventh

This season's odds: 150-

Player to watch: Joe Cole

Our verdict - Seventh
Having been tipped for an early exit by many, Glenn Roeder survived a shaky start to steer the Hammers to seventh place in the Premiership. With a young midfield which is the envy of many Premiership sides and plenty of goals in reserve up front, the Hammers could be pushing o break into the top six this term.