Christian Dailly
At the start of the season he'd be near the top of the list to go, but after settling down in the centre of defence with Tomas Repka, he has developed into a top-class player. His decision-making has definitely improved, together with his awareness. With Ian Pearce now coming back, there is at last some competition for the centre-back spot, and he might have a fight on his hands next season.
He has played a high proportion of games for West Ham this season, and with his improvement duly noted by the fans he has more than an outside chance of receiving the Hammer of the Year Award.
Here next season? Highly likely...8/10
Shaun Byrne
The 21-year-old Republic of Ireland U21 International has been extraordinarily unlucky with injuries in the past couple of years, and was handed his first team debut by Harry Redknapp over two years ago. With a new two-year contract currently being offered by the club, Shaun is weighing up his options.
"Glenn has definitely offered me a couple of years and I want to stay, but you are at the age now where you have to start playing first team football, and when that happens you might have to go somewhere else to do so. But I want to stay and hope everything goes all right. Nothing has been sorted out yet, but I like it at West Ham and I'm still enjoying it here."
From the limited times I've seen him play, he is composed on the ball, and seems an intelligent footballer. Being a left-footed player, he is one to hang on too, especially with Winterburn getting on a bit. I think, and hope, he is one for the future.
Here next season? Looks like it...7/10
Vladimir Labant
Glenn's latest signing is starting to look like a bargain signing at under a million pounds, with some extra quality already evident in Hammers set-pieces. A left-footed player that can fit in at either left-back or left-midfield, Vlad is a useful addition to the squad.
Although primarily a challenge to Nigel Winterburn's first team position, most of thge time he has played in midfield so far, due to player injuries and suspensions. Next season, whether Nigel stays or goes (see tomorrow's article for the second lot of defenders), he will be looking to feature more heavily for the Irons.
Here next season? Probably...9/10
Scott Minto
Scott is currently only a squad player, and has also been unfortunate when you consider the number of trips to the treatment room he has had to make over the past couple of seasons. Hopefully he can leave those traumas behind now, and concentrate on his football at Upton Park. Another one for the left side, Scott is good at going forward as well as defending, and as such, the wing-back system suited him well.
He has made 5 appearances under Glenn Roeder, with many more matches spent on the bench, but with the arrival of Vladimir Labant and return to fitness of Shaun Byrne, his appearances may be curtailed even more. Having on recently turned 30, there is a lot more to get out of Scott, but he has more to prove.
Here next season? Possible, but there's competition on the left...6/10
Gary Charles
Ah, yes. Mr Charles. He is still a West Ham player, in case you thought he had left. The former Aston Villa, Benefica, and indeed England player, who has had a couple of run-ins with the law, is still registered at Upton Park. However, he has yet to make an appearance under Glenn Roeder. He made only one appearance for the Hammers last season (and three whilst on loan at Birmingham), and four the season before - so he has never been any near being a regular at West Ham.
But he has been unlucky with injuries, and that may be the only reason he doesn't leave this summer. Glenn would only want a small fee for the player, if any, but I think he'd be quite a hard player to sell at the moment. Unless Portsmouth want him...
Here next season? Hope not, but quite possibly...5/10
Hayden Foxe
Our Australian piss-artist - if you'll excuse the pun. Described at one time by our ex-manager as "Australia's answer to Rio Ferdinand", Hayden has shown no such skills, on the football pitch that is. He has been limited to just 7 appearances this season, the same as last season, and has just returned to fitness after a couple of months on the sidelines.
He has been a regular bench-warmer under Roeder, and was his third choice centre-back prior to the return of Ian Pearce recently. After all the hassle of arranging a work permit for the young Aussie, he has been a slight disappointment to the fans. If Glenn Roeder succeeds in bringing in some fresh blood in defence, expect Hayden to be one of a few at the back making their way out of the Upton Park exit.
Here next season? New blood will push him out...3/10
Ezomo Iriekpen
Another youngster whose Hammers carreer has been hampered by injury, Izzy has had a tough past couple of seasons. He was the captain of the side when the youths won the double in 1999, and was the lynchpin of the defence. Since then, injuries have blighted his development, and this year he has been playing in the reserves.
It is unclear how long is left on his contract, but if there is one year left on his contract then hopefully he will stay and battle it out. With such a plethora of injuries recently, he has lost out on valuable months of development, and there may yet be a future for such a promising youngster at Upton Park.
Here next season? Contract depending...6/10
To read the first part of this feature story, taking a look at the Hammers in Goal, click here.
Defending Hammers
Dailly: Much improved
Minto: Part-timer