Tony: Onwards And Upwards

Tony Gale believes that West Ham can start aiming for a European position now that they have got off the bottom of the table.

He insists that there is nothing to fear from the sides above the Hammers and hopes that now confidence has gone some way towards being restored by the two away wins at Sunderland and Fulham.

"We can look onwards and upwards and that fourth position is up for grabs; the big three of Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are certainties for the Champions' League but I don't think West Ham are any worse than any of the teams below them.

"If you keep everyone fit and free from suspension there is a great chance of getting up that league and climbing a lot higher.

"If we go into the even more difficult games coming up after Everton in good form everyone knows we can upset the best sides.

"I think West Ham deserved all three points on Wednesday, definitely, and Jermain Defoe did well to attack the last defender to get the penalty via a bad tackle from Zat Knight - which was taken with cucumber-like qualities."

Talking of Paolo's contract situation, Tony adds:

"I have got to be honest and say Paolo has been doing very well lately.

"If you are going to commit yourself to a new two year contract - and I don't know his wages - you have to make sure you are safe first.

"It would be soccer suicide to commit yourselves to a two year contract and then get relegated.

"None of us think that West Ham are going to get relegated but just say there was a horrendous injury list going into Christmas and West Ham got into a bit of a pickle.

"We would end up in exactly the same position Leicester City are in at the moment.

"So everyone has got to be a bit sensible about this; Paolo has got to keep playing the way that he is doing, West Ham have got to get to that safety point of 40 or 42 points and then contracts can be talked about.

"After all he is still in the middle of a contract so he has to keep playing."

Tony feels Jermain Defoe will get better and better, and adds:

"I still think Jermain is not playing at his best and he probably plays better with Fredi than Paolo - and that is definitely not taking anything away from Paolo's game.

"His best performance was probably against Arsenal when we drew 2-2, but Paolo is in good form and at the moment, with two 1-0 wins, we are going well."

Now Tony is hoping to see a first home win of the season and he adds:

"It has been a nightmare - chalk and cheese from last season, when it was the other way.

"I saw Everton last week against Arsenal, they impressed me, and I think they are going to be a tough nut to crack.

"They are very tight in midfield with four central midfield players across the middle for them, so it will be hard to breach them - but I still think we can get all three points."

Tony points to the emergence of Ian Pearce in the side as being a key factor and he adds:

"I have said before I think Ian Pearce should be playing centre back and he is going to get better and better.

"It is not a coincidence that we have kept two clean sheets with Ian at centre back - he is the quickest and strongest.

"I think he can improve his ability on the ball and his composure but for me he is the best defender at the club.

"I think that playing right back has suited Christian better as well; he is more solid than Schemmel, though he is better at going forward.

"It is taking him away from that responsible position of centre back and it has worked out well."

Tony feels that the main thing, if West Ham are to progress up the table, is to avoid injuries, and he adds:

"We live like 70% of the rest of the Premiership and if we can field our best 11 we can always be a match for anyone.

"But when we lose three or four of our key players it is a problem so let's hope that doesn't happen."