Gianfranco Zola has history on his side as he goes into the busy Christmas programme looking for the same fighting spirit as seen in last season's festive period.
The manager has plenty of competition for places this weekend and is keyed up by the prospect of two home games within seven days. First Chelsea make the short trip across the capital on Sunday afternoon before Portsmouth arrive for a Boxing Day encounter.
Going into this weekend in 2008, the Hammers were one point above the relegation zone and were being written off by most neutrals. However, the squad rallied - despite some key absentees - and were able to lift themselves away from danger into the New Year.
Zola is upbeat and has no doubt his players will follow his lead having sought to emphasise the many positives he sees. He said: "The confidence level has to be increased. A lot of the problems are due to the fact the confidence isn't there. It is totally understandable.
"Confidence comes from the belief that what you are doing is the right thing to do. On this the players are committed. They just need to persist. Even a loss can be an opportunity to see good things. My point will be to switch the mind on the good points because there are a lot. We are not interested in the negatives. That is my philosophy."
He said he has considered calling in a sports psychologist but remains certain that his footballing principles are paramount. "I can motivate my players," he added. "I am good at that. I will use whatever is necessary to get them in the best mood.
"I came here to work in this situation, this environment and these conditions. I have to get on. I don't want to be envious of anyone. I want to be the one to find solutions. When I took the job I knew that I would face this situation."
The manager is well aware of fan expectation - having been full of praise for the noisy and passionate support given during two away matches in quick succession - but that makes him only more determined to deliver. "I am not worried. I know it is part of the job. I do things and I know if I don't get results, the fans will be unhappy.
"That is totally fair and all I can say is I try my best to make it happen for them. I try to play the way they like. I just have a go. I don't think I have to focus on this. My focus is just ot make sure we come back."
Zola, who has Matthew Upson, Mark Noble and Luis Jimenez to add to his squad from midweek, is not concerned about anything other than what can affect out there on the pitch against Chelsea. "Right now everybody is more about those things rather than the positives. They say Carlton Cole is not there, or on the bench there are so many young players, or we don't have Matthew Upson.
"I think it is the moment to stop that. They have eleven men, we have eleven men. We play. And then at the end of the day we see the result. "