Pressure on young Hammers

Joe Cole and Michael Carrick are vital for West Ham

BBC Sport Online's Piers Newbery believes West Ham's youngsters will have to come of age if the Hammers are to survive.

The last few months have seen considerable changes at Upton Park and have left fans feeling uncertain ahead of the new season.

Harry Redknapp left the club in May and the announcement that coach Glenn Roeder was to be the new manager was a surprise that was not universally welcomed.

With no top-flight management experience it is a gamble by the West Ham board, but he has at least been welcomed by the players.

Joe Cole has been glowing in his praise of the new man and Roeder negotiated the tricky subject of calming Paolo di Canio's fears enough to keep him at the club.

  Summer transfers

IN

Sebastien Schemmel (Metz)

David James (Aston Villa)

Laurent Courtois (Toulouse)

OUT

Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

Igor Stimac (Hadjuk Split)

But he could do little to stop Frank Lampard following his father out of Upton Park and the England midfielder's move to Chelsea weakens a squad that is already stretched.

After Rio Ferdinand's transfer to Leeds last year West Ham will struggle to hold on to their remaining young stars if last season's disappointing finish is not improved upon.

For the moment Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and Freddie Kanoute remain on board and much will be asked of them this season.

A strong youth system may also provide some new names to bolster Roeder's squad and teenage striker Jermain Defoe should play a significant part.

With an estimated £14m to spend Roeder has struggled to attract quality players to Upton Park over the summer.

Defensive cover

The lack of movement is despite a squad that is desperately lacking defensive cover having lost Igor Stimac, Stuart Pearce and Rio Ferdinand since the beginning of last season.

A deal for Fiorentina central defender Alessandro Pierini fell through as the new season approached and fans' favourite Hannu Tihinen has been deemed too expensive.

Better news came with the signing of England goalkeeper David James from Aston Villa for £3.5m and the completion of a permanent deal for Sebastien Schemmel from Metz.

But Roeder has more money to spend and will do his best to add to the squad before the season kicks off against Liverpool at Anfield.