Julian Dicks could never have imagined when he joined the West Ham United backroom staff during the summer that he would be part of the team which recorded famous wins over Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea in the opening ten games of the season.
The Hammers legend jumped at the chance to join up with his former team-mate Slaven Bilic and has enjoyed his new role as coaching assistant.
Dicks, who made 326 appearances for the Club and scored 65 goals, believes the team will only grow stronger and hopes to keep the seven match unbeaten run going when we face Watford on Saturday.
The 47-year-old is now relishing the chance to work with Aaron Cresswell and Carl Jenkinson and believes both full-backs have the quality to play for England in the future.
You have a great friendship with Slaven Bilic. What is it which makes you bond so well together
JD: “We hit it off and it helped that he could speak English. I remember we were sitting at the back of the coach going to a game and he was sitting half-way down and we told him to come and sit with us. It went on from there.
“We ended up sharing a room together on the away trips and we got on very well. We have the same taste in music and both like heavy metal. We got on very well during his time here.”
When Slaven called you to be part of his backroom staff during the summer, did it take you less than a minute to make your mind up?
JD: “It didn't even take that long! He called me up and said he would meet me in a hotel in London.
“When he first arrived I gave him a cuddle and a kiss and it was like we had never been away, even though I had not seen him for a while. It was like we had not lost contact.
“When he said he wanted me, I said 'right done'.”
You have always been very honest with your views. Are you allowed to be honest with the players now?
JD: “Of course. I have had talks with Aaron Cresswell and Carl Jenkinson and told them what I would expect from them.
“For me they are both good players and will only get better. You forget how young they are.
“I sit down with them and say I expect them to do certain things because if they couldn't do it, I would not ask them to do it.”
From what you have seen so far, do you think both players have the ability to play for England in the future?
JD: “I said you can do it and they will both play for England one day. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.”