Jack Collison has plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the future.

The West Ham United midfielder, who signed a new contract in August 2011, was able to celebrate the Hammers going top of the npower Championship table following Saturday's 2-1 home win over Nottingham Forest. To complete a memorable day, Collison's close friend and fellow Academy graduate James Tomkins also put pen to paper on his own long-term deal.

The No10 told West Ham TV the only way his day could have been improved would have been if he had converted either of two presentable second-half chances against the Tricky Trees.

"Going top is what we've been working towards because every time Southampton lost, it seemed we would lose as well. It's nice that the boot is on the other foot now. We've won and put the pressure on them massively.

"In the first half, I thought we were a little bit sloppy but we came in one-up and when you've got a penalty taker like Nobes you know he's going to hit the net nine times out of ten. It was great bottle from him.

"In the second half, we performed a lot better and created a lot of chances and I think it's going to happen that one day they are all going to go in and someone is going to get a good hiding.

"That's the thing in this league - if things aren't going for you then you've got to dig in, work hard and hope someone pulls out that little bit of magic or you get a little bit of luck. That's what happened and Nobes [Mark Noble] put the penalties away lovely and we got the three points and went top of the league.

"From a personal note, it's disappointing not to see my name on the scoresheet, but it's something I'll keep working on. I keep saying to the lads that I'm going to score an important goal this year.

"At the end of the day we got the three points and hopefully I can pull one or two out before the end of the season and it would be nice if it was an important one against one of the good teams or to dig us out of trouble."

Jack Collison came within a whisker of finding the net on Saturday

Talking about the new contract signed by pal Tomkins, Collison said the defender's decision to spurn the opportunity to move to the Premier League during the January transfer window was a sure sign of the club's ambition to regain their top-flight place this season.

"It's great news not just for me personally because he is one of my best mates, but for the club as a whole. I think it sends out a statement to anyone about the direction we want to go in. We want to keep hold of our best players and he's been magnificent this year.

"You could see from the round of applause he got before the game how much it means to everyone and what a big part of the team he is. It's good that it's all sorted now and he can get his head down and concentrate on taking us to the Premier League."

While Tomkins will not pose a threat to Collison's spot in Sam Allardyce's starting XI, the No10 did concede that competition for places in the Hammers midfield was hotting up with the return to fitness and form of Gary O'Neil, Henri Lansbury and Matt Taylor.

"There is a lot of competition for places but I think that's brilliant for the squad and for the team. Everyone is on their toes and working hard in training and you can't have any complacency. That's what the manager wants. Unfortunately it gives him a few headaches but everyone has got to go out there and do the business.

"We've started the year really well with three wins from three in the league and obviously we want to continue now."

Looking further forward, Collison also discussed the appointment of Chris Coleman as the new Wales manager following the untimely death of Gary Speed.

While the midfielder has not worked with the former Wales centre-back and Fulham and Coventry City boss before, he is looking forward to seeing Coleman's ideas ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins with the visit of Belgium in September.

"It's unfortunate circumstances the way it has come about, as Chris has said himself in interviews, but obviously it's up to him now to carry on the work that Gary Speed did with us.

"We've got a great young squad and everyone is enthusiastic. I'm sure he's going to be the same. I've never worked with him before but I've head good things and I'm obviously keen to get back on the Wales scene and push on with them as well."