Alan Curbishley is expecting his players to "show our appreciation" to the fans this Sunday with a good performance against high-flying Aston Villa that will set the summer up in style.
The manager said: "We want to finish in the top ten and we will be doing everything we can at the weekend to do that." Three points would guarantee the club a finish in the top half of the table - some achievement after the previous season's last-day survival battle. Heart can also be taken from this weekend's visitors, who finished 16th two seasons ago, then followed that up with eleventh place in 2006/07 - in Martin O'Neill's first full campaign - and are now heading into the final day of 2007/08 with the chance to finish fifth and secure UEFA Cup football.
Whatever the result, the players will take to the field after the game to thank supporters for their backing. Curbishley said: "Their support has been fantastic - the numbers, we sell out wherever we go away from home - so I think that it's only right that we show our appreciation. We have had our ups and downs in the last couple of weeks but that has got to be forgotten. The main thing is we are all in this together. Let's get a result, send everyone home a bit happier, look forward to the break and recharge everyone's batteries."
Trying to spoil proceedings will be Villa, who have enjoyed a settled squad this season and the chance to blood summer signings with their established stars. Among them is former West Ham United captain Nigel Reo-Coker and Curbishley offered praise for the young midfielder's part in the 'great escape'. "His performances in the run-in were up there with a lot of the contributions the others made," he said. "There was a lot of talk about Carlos Tevez, we all know that [Robert] Green had a fantastic run-in. Ferdinand and [James] Collins did exceptionally well [along with] Noble and Bobby Zamora. He was part of that ... I was delighted with his performances."
Marlon Harewood - who scored a hat-trick against his current employers back in September 2006 - should get a good reception from the home faithful and has also done well in the midlands. "They've gone off to Villa and they've had a decent season. They need to win to give themselves a chance of nicking that last spot so I expect a decent game ... I think Villa have had a terrific season, since Martin has gone there they have been on the up." Key to West Ham United's chances of following suit, along with form and fitness, will be the supporters and Curbishley acknowleged: "They do play a big part and we are all in this together."