When West Ham United met Sunderland on 23 November earlier in the season they were on a run of seven matches without defeat and sitting just a few points outside the relegation zone.
Valon Behrami's first goal for the club was enough to separate the teams that day and is has been onwards and upwards for Gianfranco Zola's side ever since. Their resurgence in form has seen them climb to eighth in the Barclays Premier League and completion of a league 'double' over Sunderland would further the Hammers' claim as contenders for a UEFA Europa League place this season.
"That day [the game against Sunderland] has been crucial because it could have gone the other way and from what I remember it wasn't a pretty game. Certainly we didn't play our best football but it was vital to win and we did," Zola said.
"I remember that day. It was really, really difficult for us because we were two points above the relegation zone and that was the closest we've been to that point. The team reacted very well and, from that moment, the team has built up, especially defensively, a kind of strength that has enabled us to turn things around."
Zola will welcome back Matthew Upson, James Collins and Savio to the fold but will have to do without the injured Carlton Cole, who picked up a groin problem representing England on Saturday. Although frustrated that the injury occurred while Cole was on national service, Zola, who is looking to extend his side's unbeaten run to five games on Saturday. stressed how important he feels it is for his players to play for their countries.
"I think we are talking about six weeks, so he'll be missing a few games that are important for us but hopefully we'll have him before the end. I'm very sorry for him, he is a player that has been very important for us and very influential so not to have him could be very costly for us but what can I do?"
"You play for your country and in football I don't think there is a bigger achievement than that so I could never prevent anybody to do that. He could have done the same playing for West Ham. It's a pity but he's just been unlucky, simple as that."
With Zola being a virtual veteran now when compared to the Premier League's latest new manager, Alan Shearer, he looked back on his experiences of management so far.
"I'm still very young to give advice. The only thing is that in football there are good moments and bad moments and you need to keep the philosophy throughout all the moments. You don't need to change because of the results. If you manage to keep your idea and your mind through everything that goes against you, I'm sure you'll do well.
"Sometimes things can change so quickly. Look at us. We were two points from the third relegation place and we had to play Sunderland and Liverpool away and I don't think anybody would bet a penny on us. From that moment it changed. You have to have a clear idea of what you want and you work on it."