| 'Onwards and upwards' would be a perfect motto for West Ham's time in the F.A. Premier League. Under Billy Bonds and then Harry Redknapp, the Hammers consolidated in the top flight before finding their feet and recording four top-10 finishes in the space of five years. And Redknapp's successor, Glenn Roeder, continued the momentum with a seventh-placed finish in his first season, 2001/2002. After the long-serving Bonds guided the team back into the top flight in 1993, Redknapp stepped up from his post as assistant manager to take the helm in 1994 and led the evolution from strugglers to the F.A. Premier League's stylish stalwarts. In the former winger's seven-year reign, he brought stars such as the charismatic Italian Paolo Di Canio to the Boleyn Ground. The club's famous youth system continues to produce some outstanding talent such as England stars Joe Cole and Michael Carrick, while Roeder's signing of Republic of Ireland World Cup hero Gary Breen has boosted a hugely-impressive roster. A brand of open, attacking football remains West Ham's trademark and the Hammers faithful won't accept anything less. |
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