Kenny Brown is full of optimism.
The former West Ham United defender believes the arrival of new manager Avram Grant could herald a bright new dawn at the Boleyn Ground.
Brown, whose father Ken was part of the great Hammers side of the early 1960s, said the announcement of the 2010/11 Barclays Premier League fixtures has only heightened the sense of excitement surrounding the club.
"It's very much a new era," he told WHUTV. "I was speaking to a few of the boys and it's amazing, as once the fixtures come out everyone looks at the first game, what's happening over Christmas and the local derbies. With the excitement of a new manager coming in and his ideas, there is always going to be a buzz about the place, but particularly after such a disappointing season last season."
While everyone connected with the Hammers is already looking to the new season with a sense of hope and expectation, Brown is as excited about the FIFA World Cup as any football fan.
Having played and coached in both England and Spain, the 42-year-old believes both countries can do well in South Africa - even after the starts they have made.
"The main culprits are always going to be in there and it could be any one of those four or five top teams and England are in among them.
"It's about who adapts to the conditions the best and who hits the floor running. When talking about England, it's important they start well just to get the nation behind them, get that publicity and the good vibes, because that's what drags the team down.
"As long we get through the group, and we should be doing that, it's about who performs on the day."
Brown, who turned out for FC Torrevieja, thinks Spain's victory at the 2008 UEFA European Championship could provide them with the springboard to lift the World Cup for the first time.
"I think they are rightly the favourites. I was fortunate to be over there when they won the Euros and the nation gets behind them and is very knowledgeable.
"They've got a group of players who have been together for a long time. Individually they are very talented, but collectively they know exactly what they're doing. They're very pleasing on the eye and I don't think anyone has any problems with them going on to win it.
"They only play one way and that's the only thing you can have doubts about. In the past, they have only got so far. Everyone likes to watch them play and get so far, but they always fell at the quarters or the semis. Now they have won and know how to win a big tournament, they are up there to win the World Cup."
To watch Kenny Brown's WHUTV interview in full and hear his views on Fabio Capello and who should replace the injured Rio Ferdinand, click here.