Freddie Ljungberg believes West Ham United are "getting there" as they look to mount a serious challenge on the top eight.
Having won league and cup winners' medals in a distinguished career with Arsenal, Ljungberg is fully focused on bringing success to the Boleyn Ground. He has seen signs in recent weeks that West Ham United are a team going places. "I joined because I thought we were going to build something. That's the goal. We have had a lot of injuries but we are still up there and we are so close now. We are playing really well, so we just have to keep on going."
Settling into new surroundings can take time but the Sweden captain, who has been rested for next week's international friendly against Turkey to give younger players an opportunity, has shown great adaptability by playing on either wing and in both advanced and withdrawn roles - whatever is required for the team. "Maybe I don't get the ball as much as I am used to but we are getting there," he said. "For me personally I have felt really good in the last month or so and we are starting to play the ball more on the floor as well. That suits me and we are getting the results as well. We will keep on going."
Having played a major role in the 1-0 win against Liverpool in midweek, with his trickery deceiving Jamie Carragher and earning the decisive penalty in the process, Ljungberg knows the team have to take that same application to the weekend trip to Wigan Athletic. "The important thing for us is to remember this and take it to teams who are not as big or famous to win those games as well. We looked at the table and there are not that many points up there. If we can just keep that going it looks quite good for us but we shouldn't get a big head, just keep on going."