After holistic recruitment over the summer, at considerable expense, and their move to a 57,000 (soon to be 66,000) capacity stadium, many expected West Ham to hit the ground running this season.

However, that's not been the case; the Hammers have picked up just three points from their first four games in the Premier League and now find themselves only one place above the relegation zone.

Of course, there's no need to use the phrase 'relegation candidates' but the east London club's start to the current campaign is certainly worrying, considering how intense and unpredictable the Premier League has become in recent years.

The Hammers need to catch up with the rest of the pack sooner rather than later, especially if they still have plans to qualify for Europe this season.

But we at Football FanCast see plenty of promise at West Ham and their underwhelming start to the campaign is surely just a small blip. With that in mind - and to silence the doubters - here are FIVE reasons the Irons will turn it around...

NEW SIGNINGS YET TO SETTLE

As aforementioned, West Ham made an abundance of signings during the summer - 13 to be precise. But some have settled much better than others and the Hammers are nowhere near getting the best out of all their summer additions.

Indeed, Sofiane Feghouli, Simone Zaza and Alvaro Arbeloa are all fantastic players with prior experience in the Champions League, but they're only just reaching match fitness after suffering early injuries or joining the Irons late in the summer transfer window.

Likewise,summer signing Andre Ayew is out until November at the earliest but the former Swansea City man will be a massive boost once he recovers from a thigh strain, which brings us onto...

INJURIES

West Ham have been nothing short of woefully unlucky in regards to injuries this season.

Indeed, Ayew lasted just 35 minutes into his Premier League debut for Slaven Bilic's side before having to be stretchered off, whilst Andy Carroll's injury was a huge blow after a strong finish to last term and an impressive performance against Chelsea.

But perhaps the biggest loss is Aaron Cresswell, whose knee has injury glaringly exposed the Hammers' limited depth at full-back.

All three would probably be in the starting XI if fully fit so the Irons can certainly count themselves unfortunate; likewise, the East Londoners will be much stronger when they all return in the coming weeks.

DIMITRI PAYET

We've already discussed how West Ham's summer signings haven't quite settled yet and it's a similar case with Dimitri Payet.

Indeed, injuries delayed his first start of the season until last weekend and although the Hammers lost 4-2 to Watford, the Frenchman dazzled in the first half, even producing a 'Rabona' assist for Michail Antonio's second goal.

The talismanic midfielder got West Ham up to seventh almost single-handed last season and he's more than capable of doing so again - once he's back to full fitness.

OUT OF EUROPA LEAGUE

The majority of West Ham fans were understandably disappointed to see their club eliminated from Europe at the hands of Astra Guirgiu for the second season in a row.

But the obvious silver lining is that the Hammers will no longer be involved in the Europa League, a competition infamous for the pejorative effects it has on domestic campaigns.

That works both ways; not only will Slaven Bilic's players be fitter, more prepared for and more focused on the Premier League, but potential divisional rivals still involved - such as Southampton and Manchester United - won't have that luxury.

EASY RUN AHEAD

In terms of fixtures, the Hammers have endured a tricky start to the campaign - particularly in facing title-chasing duo Chelsea and Manchester City on the road.

The Hammers were always unlikely to claim points from those games and considering they also beat Bournemouth at the London Stadium, only against Watford have they truly failed to meet expectations.

And the good news going forward is that the Irons' coming run in the Premier League is much simpler; you'd expect them to pick up points against West Brom, Southampton, Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace and Sunderland in the coming weeks.

Admittedly, however, the November to December period is incredibly tough.