16th Aug 2012 | Football
West Ham Odds 2012-13
The Hammers are back where they feel they belong and the fans demand to stay up whilst playing attractive football. It's a big ask for Big Sam.
Best Title Odds: 6000/1 (Coral)
Value Bet: 12/5 (Boylesports) - to be relegated.
Southampton and Reading are the two favourites for the drop and both of them finished convincingly ahead of West Ham in the Championship last term. The bookies always give the biggest team the benefit of the doubt, but that could be an error.
Summary:
Sam Allardyce fulfilled his remit, if only just, when the Hammers successfully negotiated the play-off final at Wembley. Much depends on former Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga settling quickly, which is a big ask of a young Malian striker with no experience of English football.
Verdict:
‘Big Sam’ has never been relegated from the top flight but then again he normally enjoyed full support from the fans when down the wrong end with Bolton. The Upton Park faithful are less convinced and that could spell trouble. He is 8/1 (PaddyPower) to be first manager out the door.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 16:47 16th Aug, 2012 but subject to change
