Written by @GingeSteel

With an estimated – and astonishingly low – 36 points being the expected number to keep a team in the Premier League this year, West Ham, now on 33 points, look safe with a 93% chance of survival (via FiveThirtyEight). Now that West Ham have a 93% chance of staying in the Premier League, I feel comfortable looking at our squad and creating a platform for discussion going forward into next season. The rumor is that Moyes wants to completely overhaul the squad, but the board seem uncertain if he is the man to lead us forward. Other names such as Pellegrini and Marco Silva have been thrown around as potential replacements. Nonetheless, let’s have a look at each position and examine who we expect the squad to include before any transfers.

NOTE: this is not a complete list. This is just a list of players who reasonably have a chance of featuring for the first team. If the same squad rules remain, we have 25 roster spots, with at least 8 home grown players (HGP). U21 players, such as Rice, Oxford, Haksabanovic, and Quina, do not count. HGP have a star (*) and U21 have a plus (+).

GK – With Joe Hart set to leave when his contract expires, we should be in the market for a keeper. We’ve been linked with Johnstone and Bentley in the past, which would fill the spot. Butland may be available if Stoke are relegated, but he will be in high demand. Having an English backup keeper would help with the HGP requirement if we sold a HGP. Verdict: add a GK no matter what.

CB– The Oxford situation seems volatile with Borussia Mönchengladbach seemingly interested in signing him long term based on the January window’s events. If he stays, we may be able to squeak by with those 5 CBʼs and Cresswell if needed. Admittedly, it would be a young group with 2/5 CBʼs being U21 players. All in all, considering Collin’s age and Reid’s injury prone nature, as well as Rice and Oxford’s age, one more CB would not hurt. In the past, we have been linked with Mawson, however, he may be out of our price range. Verdict: add a CB, especially if Oxford leaves.

RB/RWB – An interesting problem because we have both Zabaleta and Byram. However, we should be looking to replace Zabaleta soon as I cannot see him lasting more than one more season. We have been linked with Fredericks from Fulham, who I believe would be a brilliant free signing. However, Everton are also linked. Verdict: add a RWB if the price is right.

LB/LWB – Masuaku + Cresswell are solid (unless Masuaku gets hurt and Cresswell has to play CB). Weʼd probably be better off in a back 4 if that happened. Verdict: add no one.

CM-We need reinforcements here. Obiang might not be 100a after his knee injury. Furthermore, weʼve been screaming for some talent at this position for years as itʼs clearly our weakest link, identified by both Bilic and Moyes. I would not not mind bringing one or two holding midfielders, meaning we may have to sell one. Obviously we have been linked with Carvalho and Dendoncker. Unfortunately, the ship may have sailed on them, if we are being honest. Others we have been linked with recently are Shelvey, Arter, and Fellani (Moyesʼ boy). Verdict: add a CM no matter what

AM – Lanzini is good. We do need another just for competition purposes and depth. I would love Mario to stay, but his price might be out of our range. This might mean we see the emergence of either Quina, Haksabanovic, or Fernandes. Verdict: Add Mario if the price is right (otherwise, add no one)

RW/LW – Bring someone in please. I canʼt see Snodgrass staying after everything thatʼs been said about him by the owners. Furthermore, Antonio is unreliable and cannot seem to have a sprint without pulling his hamstring. It should be noted that we do not play with wingers, so if we bring in a solid RWB, there might be no need to fill this vacancy. Verdict: add one if Snodgrass leaves (one out, one in).

ST – This entirely depends on who we sell and keep. I think Arnautovic should be our ST next season without a doubt. Heʼs proved heʼs a beast there. If we sell Hernandez or Carroll, we should bring in reinforcements. Hugill is an acceptable backup. Martinez needs to show he deserves a spot after a slow start in La Liga 2. Verdict: add one if Hernandez or Carroll leave (One out, one in).

Well there you have it!  In my opinion the 4 glaring positions that need reinforcement are GK, CB, RWB, and CM. The positions that need like for like reinforcements if someone leaves are LW/RW and ST. I’ve tried to be impartial about who I personally would have leave and bring in. What do you think, Hammers? Where would you look to strengthen this upcoming season?