The pressure is already on Alan Curbishley as West Ham head into their season opener against Wigan.
Hammers hope to ease pressure on Curbs
The pressure is already on West Ham manager Alan Curbishley as the Hammers head into their season opener against Wigan on Saturday.
Curbishley and Manchester City's Mark Hughes are the favourites in the Premier League sack-race, with Curbishley's position coming under scrutiny amid financial uncertainty at Upton Park.
The Hammers' board expected more than a 10th-placed finish last season after Curbishley splashed out £22.5million on Craig Bellamy, Kieron Dyer, Julien Faubert and Freddie Ljungberg last summer.
But captain Lucas Neill has urged for patience from the West Ham board given the injury woes that hampered their hopes of a European push last term.
"I think he's been a victim of a board that's come in, given him a lot of money and wanted success immediately," said Neill.
Patience
"Time stood still for us for a year because everyone we tried to bring in, in terms of knowledge and experience, was injured. That's not his fault.
"I think he's got to be judged on what happens from now. You can't just buy success in one season, it takes time.
"Somebody's got to be the favourite to get the sack first and unfortunately it's him because of the demand at West Ham for success.
"But the odds on him going will soon change if we stick two or three quick wins together.
"There's a determination to go where we wanted to go last season before it went wrong," he added.
"You want your biggest weapons out there because you know at any stage of the game Kieron Dyer or Craig Bellamy's pace could get you a goal.
"I think there's been less activity in the market this summer because we're yet to see our transfers from last year play their part.
"Having them back, alongside Dean Ashton and Scott Parker, will be like new signings."
Bellamy will miss the first month of the season and Dyer may not return until November, while George McCartney is set to miss the big kick-off with a virus and Anton Ferdinand (hamstring) is doubtful.
Fitness boost
Wigan, meanwhile, are hoping to build on their 14th-placed finish last season and looked impressive in winning their final four pre-season friendlies.
Manager Steve Bruce looks to have bolstered his squad with some astute signings this summer and although talismanic defender Paul Scharner (ankle) is doubtful, England internationals Chris Kirkland (back) and Emile Heskey (groin) have been passed fit.
"We're delighted with what we've done over the summer and we think the squad is stronger," said Bruce.
"We finished the season off fantastically well, the fans have got bigger expectations and rightly so.
"If we can improve on last season and push towards the top 10, that would be a marvellous achievement."
Possible starting XIs
West Ham: Green; Davenport, Ferdinand, Upson, Neill; Behrami, Parker, Noble, Etherington; Ashton, Cole.
Wigan: Kirkland; Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa; Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios, Kilbane; Heskey, Zaki.