West Ham United legend Sir Trevor Brooking has claimed that finishing inside the top six this season will likely prove too difficult for his former club.
The Hammers have splashed out close to £100m during the off-season to bring in five new players, while Ryan Fredericks and Jack Wilshere have arrived on free contracts.
Brooking is particularly excited by the arrival of Wilshere, who did not get the contract that he was after at Arsenal, and the 69-year-old insists that finishing between 10th and sixth is a must for United.
"We've been looking over our shoulders in the wrong way the last couple of seasons and so we need to get into that top half," he told Sky Sports News. "The top six are really tough to break down but I think this year with the money spent, you're trying to give the manager the ability to be mid table, top half but then identify where he needs to strengthen the squad if they want to kick on.
"The challenge of the top six is a tough one - you've got clubs like Everton and Leicester and West Ham need to be around them this season.
"The player I'm quite excited about is Jack. He's a talented player, a creative midfielder - West Ham need someone like that to see a pass. At 26 - for me the next 5 or 6 years were my best - you've got your confidence in your ability.
"If I was him I'd want to prove to everyone that he can be as good as we know he can be and so for me his presence, if he plays well will be a big plus."
West Ham, who finished last season in 13th place, are now under the management of Manuel Pellegrini.
Daniel Lewis
