The State of West Ham United

West Ham United is currently embroiled in a lengthy ownership tug-of-war, with no clear resolution in sight. This has led to concerns about the club's ability to invest in new players and strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.

The Impact on Promotion Chances

While some fans are optimistic that West Ham can still go straight back up to the Premier League without major signings, others believe that the lack of investment will hold them back. The club has already sold several key players and has a reputation for being unpredictable in its transfer dealings.

The Role of the London Stadium Crowd

The London Stadium is one of the largest stadiums in England, with a capacity of over 60,000. This can be both a blessing and a curse for West Ham. On the one hand, it provides a intimidating atmosphere that can unsettle opponents. On the other hand, it means that every team that comes to the stadium will feel like it is their cup final, which could make it difficult for West Ham to get the same level of intensity from their own players.

The Need for Investment

Despite the optimism of some fans, many believe that West Ham needs to invest in new players if they are going to have a realistic chance of promotion. This is particularly true given the lack of squad depth and the need for a creative midfielder.

The View from the Fans

We asked several West Ham United fans for their thoughts on the club's ownership situation and its impact on their chances of promotion this season.

Brendan: If West Ham can't begin to iron out their very obvious off-field problems, they won't have a chance in the Championship.

Baz: No signings. Three midfielders sold. Boardroom bickering. League One beckons.

Matt D: I only hope the fans stay behind the team as they have the power to ignite better performances. The London Stadium can be a fiery place when the lads aren't playing to the fans' high expectations and our best players/manager won't hang around much longer if we don't go straight back up. Get behind the team. Let's enjoy it.

Steven: This year is probably going to be a bit of a bumpy ride. The lack of a creative midfielder and squad depth means that we're going to struggle, and until the ownership situation is sorted I don't see us fixing both of those, at the very least efficiently.

Kevin: Optimism has gone. The idea of a Kretinsky/Staveley partnership, with AS eventually taking Sullivan's shares was mouthwatering. Now we're in limbo. No signings, the season only 10 days away. West Ham hit the self-destruct button again!

Julie: Need to buy some new players to have a realistic chance of going straight back up! There's still a couple of weeks left to secure some - there's money there so spend it please!!!

Roger: I think they will struggle because every team that comes to the London Stadium will feel like it is their cup final - huge stadium with a crowd of over 50,000. They will all raise their game & West Ham must match their intensity. On balance I think they will go up but might be via play-offs.

Charlie: I think we will get promoted with heavy firepower like Bowen and Taty, then Soucek as a solid player. With Hermansen in goal I think we will be comfortable at the back. Despite having no signings yet there is still time before the end of the transfer window.

Matt M: We've sold two key players, another has left after his loan ended, and now we've sold a perfectly capable squad player who's been at the club since he was six. All ok if there were incoming players to strengthen the promotion push, but while the boardroom power struggle continues, the fear is that no-one will sign off on paying fees for new signings. If that's the case, we'll struggle to even make the extended play-off places.

Kozan: I'm not liking the lack of investment so far. Since the mistakes made under Pellegrini and Lopetegui, we still haven't shown any clear transfer initiative. We've gone down, and yet we're still not prepared for this season. Players have left, and there are no replacements. Some of the squad are good - too good for the league - but they're not battle-hardened enough to play twice a week. We need a left-back, centre-back, hold-up striker, centre-midfielder, and a playmaker. Until those positions are addressed, it's hard to see how we're supposed to compete.