After an inauspicious start to the season everyone at West Ham United has been trying to play down talk of targets.
Over the summer West Ham were backed by fans, ex-players and pundits to challenge the top six.
Two games in and the Hammers look a million miles off that standard.
Of course it is still early days.
Target talk played down
But manager Manuel Pellegrini and veteran Pablo Zabaleta have been keen to play down talk of pushing for a seventh place finish and possible Europa League qualification.
Given the quality of squad that has been assembled by Pellegrini, Europa League looks a realistic aim.
Pellegrini has repeatedly insisted he has not set any targets this season (whufc.com).
Zaba urges caution
Zabaleta believes the ultimate aim should be seventh. But the Argentine stalwart agrees with his manager, urging his teammates to take one game at a time and not get too carried away with talk of European football (whufc.com).
West Ham fans are a knowledgeable bunch. Most of them live in the real world when it comes to expectations.
But, like any fan, they want to see optimism rather than pessimism. And thankfully star midfielder Manuel Lanzini has provided plenty.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Lanzini contradicted the cautious approach of Pellegrini and Zabaleta and insists European football IS the target for the season.
Lanzini shows some welcome West Ham ambition
“I think that the owner and all the staff want West Ham to be at the top level, with all the summer signings, with Manuel Pellegrini, and his project,” Lanzini told whufc.com.
“Our ambition this season is to try to qualify for the Europa League. And to do that we need to work hard. Because in the Premier League every team is difficult to play against.
“The season is still young. It’s too early to say what position we’ll finish in. But I think people need to believe – we have a very good team, very good players, and a very good coach.”
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