West Ham United is a happy club at the moment and that is embodied by the mood of star Declan Rice.
The Hammers enjoyed three consecutive wins in a week and are unbeaten since the opening day thrashing by Manchester City.
Manuel Pellegrini has not publicly set any targets for his team this season.
But fans and pundits expect West Ham to at least challenge for a Europa League spot and go all out in the cup competitions.
A refreshing change for West Ham
After the fine 2-0 win over Norwich City – which could and should have been by a more handsome scoreline – West Ham moved up to fifth place in the fledgling table.
Other results on the Sunday saw the Hammers drop to seventh but the club go into the international break in fine fettle.
It makes a change from the disastrous starts to the last two seasons which have seen the East Londoners stuck at the wrong end of the table.
The mood around the place was nicely encapsulated by a brilliant interview with young star Declan Rice before he set off to join up with England for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo.
Rice loving high-flying Hammers life
Speaking to West Ham’s official website Rice joked he was in new territory as a West Ham player.
“I think that’s what we should expect of ourselves every week – attacking and defending together – and I think we were top notch,” Rice told whufc.com.
“We done well, makes good reading you know (to see us) fifth in the table.
“I’ve never been fifth! So that reads good.
“But we go into the international break now and we prepare ourselves for Villa.”
Pellegrini must make this West Ham’s new normal
Rice’s comment shows just how fiercely competitive the Premier League is.
The Hammers frustrated their fans on multiple occasions last season by bottling it every time there was an opportunity to move up to seventh place.
In the end they finished five points off Wolves and the reward of Europa League football.
This season West Ham look a lot more focused, tactically aware and balanced.
It is now up to Manuel Pellegrini to make the territory West Ham currently occupy and the team’s performances the new normal for the Hammers.
Achieve that and West Ham may well just do something special this season.
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