We Are Better Equipped

West Ham boss Alan Pardew is masterminding an all out assault on promotion to the Premier League this forthcoming season, and he says The Hammers are better equipped this time round.

This time last year West Ham were in the middle of wholesale changes to the squad, but this summer no such changes are needed.

And Alan admits that he has the players that he believes can achieve promotion this season.

"We've got the quality to get promotion, there's no doubt about that, but you need more than just quality. You need a togetherness, a team spirit, you need to be settled."

Pardew also believes that the advantage of the squad already knowing each other can only be good for the club

"Certainly this year we are in a better position than last. There isn't going to be a major overhaul of the team. We have a settled squad, we all know each other very well and hopefully that bodes well for a better season."

There are a few clubs that will see themselves as favourites for promotion,  but Alan believes now the club are on a sound footing they have an advantage over some of the so-called big clubs who have just been relegated from the top division.

"We're all hunting the holy grail of the Premiership but we are a club that's levelled off and now we need to go forward strongly."