West Ham United are being talked about as Champions League contenders after another impressive win on Monday night.
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Debate has been raging whether West Ham have what it takes to make the top four.
It would be the first time West Ham have ever managed the feat in the Premier League era.
As things stand this is West Ham’s best top flight season for 35 years.
West Ham form sparks Champions League talk
Victory over Sheffield United briefly put David Moyes’s side back up to fourth in the table with 14 games remaining.
Chelsea’s subsequent win over Newcastle pushed the Hammers down to fifth on goal difference.
And West Ham face a huge game against bitter rivals Tottenham this Sunday where they can really underline their credentials.
Victory for West Ham will put them nine points ahead of Spurs in the race for the European spots.
With new signing Jesse Lingard in fine form, hopes are high.
Lingard proving doubters wrong as loan ranger inspires Hammers push for European spots
The Manchester United loan ranger has been excellent for West Ham in his early appearances. So much so it is forcing many pundits and fans who pre-judged the England international to eat humble pie.
Many did not feel West Ham needed Lingard. And some questioned whether he had the right mentality and attitude with criticism of his social media profile during his time at Old Trafford still fresh in the memory.
Now West Ham assistant manager Stuart Pearce has spoken out about the club’s flirtation with the Champions League spots (talkSPORT).
And Pearce has also lifted the lid on what Lingard is really like.
“We dipped our toe in you know, we had a little look and then we got out,” Pearce quipped on talkSPORT.
Pearce delivers verdict on West Ham’s top four push and what Lingard is really like as he hails team spirit
“We’re keeping under the radar, you know how it works!
“For me the most rewarding thing I’d say (is) they’re a real genuine group of boys to work with and it’s a pleasure to go into work. You know sometimes (at football clubs) it’s not always like that, but these are a real genuine group of players that want to work for each other and they’ve got a real good spirit about them…
“He’s (Lingard) a smashing kid, speaking to Gareth (Southgate) and Stevie Holland (England assistant manager) and Dave (Moyes) knew him obviously from Manchester (they all speak highly of Lingard).
“He’s fitted in brilliantly I have to say. His energy, he’s giving goals and assists and bits and pieces in these early couple of games. And I think the flip side of that is I think it’s a good move for him to be quite honest with you. I think it’s fitted nicely for where he was in his career at this moment in time.”
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