2005-06 Season

9th in the Premier League
League Cup: 3rd Round, Bolton Wanderers a. 0-1
FA Cup: Final, Liverpool lost on penalties.

Highlight:
3-2 win at Arsenal 1/2/06

Low Spot:
Losing 4-1 at Chelsea having been one up and playing against 10 men 9/4/06

Good:
Nigel Reo-Coker
The Hammers young captain was immense, showing maturity in his play and his attitude.
A determined, disciplined midfielder who can also create and score himself. Not far off being the complete package and if he continues to develop could be a force on the international scene.
Yossi Benayoun
Pardew pulled off a masterstroke bringing this talented midfielder in from Racing Santander.
Benayoun is straight out of the traditional Hammers mould, good on the ball, tricky and with an eye for goal.
His likeness to Alan Devonshire is uncanny, both in the way he moves and plays, and that is no bad thing.

Bad:
David Bellion
Failed to make any impression whatsoever after joining on loan from Manchester United.
Christian Dailly
Well past it at Premier League level.

In Brief:
The Hammers were competitive throughout and never remotely looked like getting involved in a relegation struggle after promotion the previous season.
7 successive wins in the league and cup in January and February really set their season up and the Hammers were rewarded with an FA Cup final appearance in May.
After shocking Liverpool with the positive nature of their game, and their quality, they were desperately unlucky to be denied glory by Gerrard's sublime last minute equaliser and then penalties.
All in all the season was incredibly positive, however, and with the young players likely to improver further a couple more quality signings should see Pardew's men consolidate their place as a top half side.