West Ham are enjoying a great season in the Barclays Premier League. It has been a crazy year in the top division with Leicester City leading the pack ahead of the final run-in. The Hammers are in fifth position on fifty points with eight games remaining.
They could upset some big names to claim a Champions League spot for next season. Finishing fourth would assure that. They are also on course in the FA Cup with a quarter-final replay at home to Manchester United scheduled for early April.
West Ham are unbeaten in six games and seem to be in good form at exactly the right time. In contrast, fourth-placed Manchester City are a point ahead and have lost four of their last six league matches. City's latest defeat, at home to Manchester United has blown the top four race wide open.
The Hammers are poised to take advantage and will believe they have the confidence to push on for the Champions League qualification. The London club have an advantage of feeling less pressure on their shoulders. The two Manchester clubs will be expected to deliver. Without such high expectations, West Ham will be able to play with greater freedom in the remaining games.
Manager Slaven Bilic has done a remarkable job since taking control of the club last June. The team's home form is turning the Boleyn ground into a difficult venue for opponents with Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea all losing there this season. Bilic's team also have the fourth strongest away form in the division with big wins on the road against Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.
He deserves credit for making The Hammers a robust attacking force who are difficult to beat. They are a side on the rise, playing fluid and attractive football. Their performances show that they have become fearless - an important trait when looking to break into the top four.
French International Dimitri Payet has had a remarkable influence on the London club this season. The attacking-midfielder, signed last June from Olympic de Marseille is the side's top goalscorer. He has won the hearts and minds of Irons fans who describe him as "better than Zidane". West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady rates Payet "with Lionel Messi".
The player is lifting the team with his combination of pace, vision and technique. His form has earned him a recall to the French National side ahead of this summers European Championship in his home country. His national coach sights the player's goals and "very good season" as the key reasons for his call-up. Payet himself is spurring the Hammers on, declaring the team "ready to pounce" on the top four should anyone slip up.
The Hammers have some tricky ties in the next few months with tough ties at home to Arsenal and away to title contenders Leicester. Their penultimate match at home to sixth-placed Manchester United will be a crucial game to win. Bilic will tell his team to draw upon performances against the top sides so far and be gutsy. The teams around them also have tough fixtures remaining and their are sure to be more surprises. Wherever West Ham finish, it will be viewed as a successful season for the The Irons.