Gianfranco Zola believes victory over Liverpool could kick-start West Ham United's season.
The Hammers go into Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture eager to register their first victory since the 2-0 opening-day success at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Manager Zola believes a win over the in-form Reds in front of a packed Boleyn Ground and live ESPN audience could inspire his side to great heights this term.
West Ham welcome back the fit-again Herita Ilunga and Kieron Dyer, while Valon Behrami and new signing Alessandro Diamanti are both in line for starts after impressing as substitutes in the 1-0 defeat by Wigan Athletic last weekend.
"We started very well and played very well in the first two games. We were very unfortunate against Tottenham - I don't think we deserved to lose that game. Then, I don't think we played as well as the first two games.
"To be fair, I never played the same team for more than two straight games. Since the team that started the season, there have been five changes in the third and fourth games. Herita has been out and Kieron Dyer has been out and they will be important players for us over the course of the season.
"We had a few problems, plus uncertainties with the transfer market, so a few things have been disturbing the process of becoming a team.
"I would say this week is the first week when we have been starting to build a little bit more team spirit and the shape of the team, so I'm expecting from now on to get better and better.
"Herita, Behrami and Kieron Dyer are all available, which is good news."
While the returns of Behrami, Ilunga and Dyer and the arrival of Diamanti have provided the manager with a boost, Zola knows he and his players will have to be at their best to defeat a Liverpool side that has won its last three matches in all competitions.
Rafa Benitez's men have recorded back-to-back Barclays Premier League wins over Bolton Wanderers and Burnley before opening their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Debrecen at Anfield on Wednesday.
"Liverpool is a very good team and obviously a team you don't want to face at this stage of the season. They are coming on the back of three-or-four wins and they are confident, so it's a very good team.
"I do respect them. Liverpool is one of those teams that always perform at a certain level. If you want to do something and beat them, you have to do more than that, because you can be sure they will perform. They are like machines. Their standard is quite consistent.
"We don't have to expect anything from them. We have to create our own destiny and that's what I'm going to be telling the players."
One player the manager would love to see back in his squad is Dean Ashton but, a year after the forward was sidelined with an ankle injury, Zola was asked when he expected the No9 to return to full training.
"It has been one year and obviously I am getting concerned about it, but I am a person of faith and trust so I am keeping positive about this. I can't say 'I'll give you three months'. I can't force his progress along.
"I am very sorry for the boy and I imagine what he is going through and that he is suffering a lot. All my thoughts are with him."