Key man: Michael Carrick
Tall, elegant Geordie-born midfielder who epitomises the club’s Academy tradition. Though only 21, his varied passing range ensured that the loss of Frank Lampard to Chelsea last year was barely noticed. Difficult to dispossess and no slouch or coward in the tackle

Coach: Glenn Roeder
Succeeded in confounding the doubters who said he would be the first of last season’s managerial casualties. His quiet efficiency ensured West Ham finished seventh, with the previously somewhat chaotic Chadwell Heath training ground being imbued with new-found professionalism. Offers genuine hope that nice guys can succeed

Full squad
Goalkeepers 1 David James 17 Raimond van der Gouw, 32 Stephen Bywater, 41 David Forde	Midfielders 4 Don Hutchison 8 Trevor Sinclair 11 Steve Lomas 16 John Moncur 6 Michael Carrick 26 Joe Cole 28 Laurent Courtois 34 Grant McCann
Defenders 3 Nigel Winterburn 2 Tomas Repka 5 Vladimir Labant 7 Christian Dailly 19 Ian Pearce 20 Scott Minto 27 Shaun Byrne 30 Sebastien Schemmel, 15 Gary Breen, Anton Ferdinand, Glen Johnson	Forwards 10 Paolo Di Canio 14 Frederic Kanoute 9 Jermain Defoe 18 Youssef Sofiane 29 Titi Camara 21 Richard Garcia

Strongest XI

Nationalities
England (12), France (4), Scotland (3), Northern Ireland (2), Holland (1), Czech Republic (1), Slovakia (1), Italy (1), Guinea (1), Ireland (2) Australia (1) Total: 29

Players in
Youssef Sofiane, Raymond van der Gouw, Gary Breen

Players out
Gary Charles, Hayden Foxe, Paul Kitson, Shaka Hislop, Craig Forrest, Steve Potts, Omer Riza, Sven Andersson, Kesiana Metitri, Michael Ferrante, Adam Newton, Rigobert Song, Ragnvald Soma

New boy: Youssef Sofiane
The 18-year-old striker, signed from Auxerre, has been compared to Thierry Henry, with pace his principal asset. Has been signed as a back-up forward but feels his game is suited to English football and is confident he can break into the first XI

Instant expert
Ground Boleyn Ground, Green Street, Upton Park, London E13 9AZ
Telephone 020 8548 2748
Capacity 35,595
Shirt sponsor Dr Martens
Ticket office 020 8548 2700
Can I get a ticket? Adults £26 to £46, club members have priority
How to get there Nearest tube station is Upton Park on District line
Hammers line 09068 121165
Club shop 020 8548 2722

Money talk
Top earners Di Canio £38,000, Cole £33,500, Carrick £31,000

Total wage bill £31.59m
Although the squad has been trimmed, West Ham's wage bill is the sixth highest in the Premiership. The club's £38.07m turnover is the 10th highest among premiership clubs.

Where are they now?
Alvin Martin Combines running his own office furniture supply company with football punditry for Talksport Radio