West Ham United are sitting pretty in the Premier League table and playing with a real identity again.
Manuel Pellegrini has guided the Hammers to ninth place, just one point off seventh.
West Ham are playing with style, structure and flair under the experienced Chilean.
Never was that more evident than in a deserved 1-0 victory over Arsenal last time out.
Confidence soaring at West Ham
The Hammers matched the Gunners all over the pitch and young Declan Rice scored his first goal for the club in timely fashion.
Confidence is soaring in East London and fans really feel that Pellegrini is building something.
Pellegrini himself said after the game that West Ham ‘played like a big team’ in the victory (whufc.com).
But Hammers hero Pablo Zabaleta has urged caution and explained why the club should not try to run before it can walk.
“I think this is a new project where the club decided to bring an experienced coach, a very successful one and where the club decided to make a big investment, bringing very good players and they want to take a big step forward,” Zabaleta told whufc.com.
‘We need to be realistic’
“Also, we are playing in this new stadium where we always play in front of 60,000 fans, but we need to be a bit realistic and understand that in this league there are six teams that dominate, that are always in the top and then a few other teams that fight for seventh to qualify for the Europa League.
“I believe that West Ham’s goal is that one now. I think we need to find the consistency to be in the top ten and, seeing the club’s potential, it’s a good moment for us.”
West Ham travel to Bournemouth next up and could move up to seventh place and potentially just seven points off fifth with a win.
Zaba right to deliver reality check
But Zabaleta is right to limit expectations.
West Ham have proved already this season they can slip up when they are expected to win.
Games against Bournemouth, Wolves and Watford at home all ended in defeat while the Hammers could onkly draw with Brighton at home.
A recent comprehensive defeat away at Burnley also showed West Ham lack the kind of consistency needed to be a truly top level side.
It is early days for project Pellegrini, though. West Ham have come a long way since this time last season.
Fans will be hoping their upward trend will continue for the seasons to come.
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