It’s only a few weeks since the end of the season and it already seems West Ham are going to have a busy old summer.

Avram Grant has been installed as the new manager Upton Park, while Thomas Hitzlsperger has arrived from Lazio on a free transfer.

It is widely expected that there will be a major overhaul of the playing staff at West Ham after the Premier League relegation battle last season, so the arrival of the German international will not be the last bit of business Grant does.

Talented Argentinean veteran Juan Riquelme is rumoured to be on the brink of arriving at Upton Park, while the likes of Nicky Maynard, Vincent Enyeama, Joe Cole and Robert Pires have been linked with a move to East London.

A number of the players who disappointed last season are also expected to leave in the coming weeks as the club looks to ensure there is no repeat of the Premier League relegation dogfight of last season.

New arrival Hitzelsperger has set the tone for the new mood around West Ham by stating he was “sure” the team would “do better” as there is a “lot of talent” around the club and it should be remembered that a number of West Ham players are currently taking part in the 2010 Football World Cup.

The mood within the club is certainly changing for the better and it seems the owner’s are striving to bring in better players to ensure West Ham move forward next season.

The Premier League 2010/11 betting suggests the team should be aiming for mid-table at least, but they did last term as well.

Therefore fans may struggle to feel optimistic until a real improvement is seen on the pitch, but the signs are looking good, especially if the club continues to get rid of some of the under-performing deadwood and replaces them with fresh, determined talent.