Gianfranco Zola sees no reason why his team cannot pull off a surprise at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday lunchtime
The Hammers head to White Hart Lane looking to make up for the disappointment of the first meeting between the clubs back in August when only a rare Carlton Cole lapse on the hour allowed Spurs back into the contest. They went on to win 2-1 but Zola sees no reason why the tables cannot be turned this time around.
He claimed it would be "fantastic" to win. Buoyed by the weekend triumph against Portsmouth, he added: "The team is alive and we believe. We are performing well. We are waiting, who knows what will happen. It might be a surprise.
"Hopefully the win at Portsmouth will be a kick-start to our season like it was a year ago. Saturday's game is going to give us a lot, not only in terms of points but also in belief and desire. For me, our performances will only get better and better from now on."
The manager, who could replace hamstring victim Mark Noble with either of his weekend replacements Luis Jimenez or Valon Behrami, went on to describe the Portsmouth result as "massive for our confidence and spirit". He added: "I am very delighted. It was an important win. I knew it was going to be nervy.
"The stakes were too big so everyone was like that, plus they have been playing well. We kept our composure and in the end we scored one more, we should have scored more. I am delighted overall."
The manager has had to do a lot of talking about Scott Parker of late and he expects his No8 to be great again at White Hart Lane after arguably his best display of the season at the weekend. He added that Parker's determination to do well for West Ham was evident for all to see.
"He is very consistent. He is a good player and he puts a lot of passion, a lot of desire and thought into his play. He is amazing. He is such a good player to have in the team because he interacts with everybody else on the same level. If he keeps playing in this way with this intensity and quality then he can certainly be an option for England.
"I like his game because he has everything: quality, hard work. He has everything in my opinion to play the position he plays."
Further forward, Saturday's first goalscorer from the spot Alessandro Diamanti was also given special mention by the manager for his set-piece ability - something which could prove more and more valuable as the season wears on. That said he may have to battle with Jimenez, after his late free-kick found Radoslav Kovac to wrap up the win.
"The way Alessandro kicks the ball is incredible," Zola said. "Not only the penalty but some of the free-kicks. I know what Alessandro can do and I am sure he will get better. He has scored four in four penalties now."
After the Hammers beat Portsmouth, Tottenham went on to draw 0-0 at Fulham later in the day - meaning both teams have to cope with a demanding schedule of two games in three days. "They will be tired as well, they played as well on Boxing Day. It is tough for us, it is tough for them but the one thing I am sure of is our attitude will make it tough for them.
"We are not going looking for excuses. We are going to give everything we've got on Monday."
The manager once again rejected talk about transfers with the market opening next month, only to say he expects his players to show their commitment to the claret and blue cause. "I believe they love this club and like what we are doing," he said. "I want the players to be happy and feel realised. I hope here they can fulfil their expectation and that is what I am working on and hopefully we can achieve that."