Lucas Neill sees no reason why the Hammers cannot repeat last season's heroics against Manchester United, featuring Carlos Tevez, and Arsenal over the coming days, while he also looks back to the Middlesbrough and Reading games.
I hope that everybody has had a safe and enjoyable Christmas. As you are probably well aware it's a difficult time as a player to enjoy the festive season when there are such important games to prepare for in close succession but it comes with the territory and I wouldn't swap it for the world.
Our Christmas week started so positive with a fantastic away win at Middlesbrough. It wasn't the prettiest of games but it was the first time this season we had fallen behind and produced a comeback to win. It showed great character and epitomised the unity and spirit in the team. I said last week this would be a huge result in difficult circumstances and it was exactly that.
That set us up perfectly for the home game against Reading and after 30 minutes when Reading were reduced to ten men I think both players and supporters thought a victory looked likely. To finish the game 1-1 was bitterly disappointing and definitely two points dropped.
I do urge the supporters to stick by us. I understand that our home form is frustrating but we need the fans more than ever tomorrow to cheer us on to a result. What better way to get our home form back on track than with the Upton Park crowd behind us spurring us on to a victory over the Premier League champions. We did the double over them last season under much more pressure so why can't we repeat that again this time round?
Tomorrow, I welcome the staff, fans and players of Manchester United and in particular of course the much-loved Carlos Tevez. I am sure the fans will give him a deserved warm welcome as will the players, but let's hope that's the last bit of enjoyment he has for the day!
Here's hoping we start the New Year off with a bang and be the only team to win not once but twice at the Emirates. Last season was truly amazing when Bobby Zamora and Robert Green's heroics stunned the Premier League by getting a historic win against all the odds and injected the belief we needed that we could beat anyone on our day.
I wish a very Happy New Year to all our supporters, and thank you for your continued support over the last 12 months. I look forward to continuing our progress with you in 2008.
Lucas Neill