Harry Redknapp backs West Ham to finish ‘seventh or eighth’ this season and lauds signing of Jack Wilshere
The Hammers have enjoyed a busy summer strengthening under new manager Manuel Pellegrini
Harry Redknapp has predicted West Ham to finish 'seventh or eighth' in the Premier League this season.
Redknapp, the ex-Hammers boss, has watched his former club enjoy a busy summer transfer window, with seven new players brought to the London Stadium, including Brazil winger Felipe Anderson in a club-record deal.
With Manuel Pellegrini, the former Manchester City manager, confirmed as West Ham's new boss at the end of last season, the east Londoners finally have a head coach with real pedigree, and pre-season has been largely positive, with just one defeat and one draw from five matches.
Obviously, it is impossible to judge just how well West Ham will do until the Premier League season gets underway next week, with the Hammers' campaign starting at Liverpool on August 12.
However, hopes are high among the West Ham faithful that their team can finally get back into the top 10, having finished in the upper half of the table just twice since returning to the Premier League in 2012/13.
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And Redknapp believes a top half finish is on the cards, with his prediction placing the Hammers as high as 'seventh or eighth'.
"I’m excited," Redknapp told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast. "I think West Ham could finish seventh or eighth this year. I certainly don’t see them in them in the bottom half of the division."
Another one of West Ham's most impressive signings was that of Jack Wilshere, who arrived at the London Stadium on a free transfer after his Arsenal contract expired.
Though his recent years have been less than impressive, and largely disrupted by injury, if Wilshere rediscovers his best form West Ham will have managed to secure a top class midfielder for nothing - a view which is shared by Redknapp.
He continued: "They’re going to be decent this year, West Ham.
"I think Jack Wilshere was a good signing; if Jack’s fit he’s a fantastic player.
"And he’s still young enough to push on again. So I do think he’ll be a great signing for West Ham."