Nigel Winterburn says it is time for the talking to stop - and the
team to get points on the board.
He is acutely aware that plaudits and points are worlds away, remembering that at the start of last season everyone was saying how well the side were playing, while continuing to languish at the bottom of the table.
"We have probably played two teams that are going to finish in the top five in the league, and you have to take that into account," he admits, assessing the Hammers' one point in two games.
"But like I said last season it is no good saying we are playing well and not picking up points.
"Already we are in a crucial stage of the season because in the next five or six games, without being disrespectful, we are not playing the Manchester Uniteds or the Arsenals.
"We've got teams that are probably hoping to push for a European place and that may finish around us so it is important to take points from these games to push us up into a middle position in the league.
"After that, anything can happen, but after 10 games you want to be sitting in the middle or above.
"If not it leaves you with an uphill struggle as it did last year.
"It's hard to get up there but if you are already in the pack it gives you a great chance to push on during the season.
"You don't want to be in the bottom three looking at a hard season."
Nigel's thoughts on the first two games of the season lead him to the conclusion that half of this season's 'goals against' column could have been eradicated!
"We are disappointed about conceding two at Liverpool because, while the second goal was a half chance, but the first could have been stopped.
"But only two goals conceded against Liverpool and Leeds is not a bad start.
"But we want to keep it at nil at our end and get some goals at the other end."
Nigel says it is time to look to the future and not dwell on the changes that took place behind the scenes this summer.
"I knew that it was all going to be different, because I spoke to Glenn before we came back and his ideas.
"You have to accept every challenge as it comes and not look back.
"You appreciate what other managers have done but it's all about the future now and pushing on.
"Hopefully Glenn can help us all to be better individual players and we can help him to be a successful manager as well."
And, even in the twilight of his career, he says he is looking to become a better player.
"The day I have the complete performance is the day I think I will retire, but you never get it because you are always striving for something extra; at least, I always have.
"Sometimes you play well and sometimes you have a poor game but that is what football is about."
He welcomes the purchase of Don Hutchison and adds:
"It is a good signing because it will give us more strength in the midfield area where everyone knows we are lacking at the moment.
"John Moncur has done a fantastic job in the two games so I don't know whether John will be left out the team or what.
"Don can also play up front as well and I've had a few battles with him.
"But it's all about respect; while you are playing it is the be-all and end-all but when it is finished you shake hands as if nothing had happened on the pitch."
And he says that Don is reaching the best footballing years of his life, explaining:
"I think a few years ago they said 26 or 27 is the prime of your career but now they are talking 28 to 32 or 33 being your best years.
"Don is 30 and has a few years left yet - I know he stated he was young and immature last time he was here but now he has grown up, and you can see that from the performances he has put in at Sunderland."
Referring to the famous sandwich throwing incident when Harry Redknapp admitted to sending a few Don's way at the Dell once, Nigel jokes:
"If that's all he has chucked at him he won't be going far wrong!"
He says that he cannot wait to get back into action after a two week lay-off, adding:
"It's been frustrating because we played really well in the first two games, and to have a two week break so soon after the start of the season means it has been hard for the players not involved in internationals.
"Derby away won't be an easy game but it will be one where we have to say 'yes, we can win this game'.
"And if we go away with the right attitude I am sure we can get a good result for us - which means a win.
"Let's hope Ravanelli is not keeping us busy; he is a fantastic player.
"I give everyone at Derby respect but, that said, we want to beat them badly."
And, of England's exploits, he adds:
"Against Germany it was fantastic and seems to have lifted the whole nation; but everyone in football thought it was going to be a very difficult game against Albania and it proved to be that."
He is acutely aware that plaudits and points are worlds away, remembering that at the start of last season everyone was saying how well the side were playing, while continuing to languish at the bottom of the table.
"We have probably played two teams that are going to finish in the top five in the league, and you have to take that into account," he admits, assessing the Hammers' one point in two games.
"But like I said last season it is no good saying we are playing well and not picking up points.
"Already we are in a crucial stage of the season because in the next five or six games, without being disrespectful, we are not playing the Manchester Uniteds or the Arsenals.
"We've got teams that are probably hoping to push for a European place and that may finish around us so it is important to take points from these games to push us up into a middle position in the league.
"After that, anything can happen, but after 10 games you want to be sitting in the middle or above.
"If not it leaves you with an uphill struggle as it did last year.
"It's hard to get up there but if you are already in the pack it gives you a great chance to push on during the season.
"You don't want to be in the bottom three looking at a hard season."
Nigel's thoughts on the first two games of the season lead him to the conclusion that half of this season's 'goals against' column could have been eradicated!
"We are disappointed about conceding two at Liverpool because, while the second goal was a half chance, but the first could have been stopped.
"But only two goals conceded against Liverpool and Leeds is not a bad start.
"But we want to keep it at nil at our end and get some goals at the other end."
Nigel says it is time to look to the future and not dwell on the changes that took place behind the scenes this summer.
"I knew that it was all going to be different, because I spoke to Glenn before we came back and his ideas.
"You have to accept every challenge as it comes and not look back.
"You appreciate what other managers have done but it's all about the future now and pushing on.
"Hopefully Glenn can help us all to be better individual players and we can help him to be a successful manager as well."
And, even in the twilight of his career, he says he is looking to become a better player.
"The day I have the complete performance is the day I think I will retire, but you never get it because you are always striving for something extra; at least, I always have.
"Sometimes you play well and sometimes you have a poor game but that is what football is about."
He welcomes the purchase of Don Hutchison and adds:
"It is a good signing because it will give us more strength in the midfield area where everyone knows we are lacking at the moment.
"John Moncur has done a fantastic job in the two games so I don't know whether John will be left out the team or what.
"Don can also play up front as well and I've had a few battles with him.
"But it's all about respect; while you are playing it is the be-all and end-all but when it is finished you shake hands as if nothing had happened on the pitch."
And he says that Don is reaching the best footballing years of his life, explaining:
"I think a few years ago they said 26 or 27 is the prime of your career but now they are talking 28 to 32 or 33 being your best years.
"Don is 30 and has a few years left yet - I know he stated he was young and immature last time he was here but now he has grown up, and you can see that from the performances he has put in at Sunderland."
Referring to the famous sandwich throwing incident when Harry Redknapp admitted to sending a few Don's way at the Dell once, Nigel jokes:
"If that's all he has chucked at him he won't be going far wrong!"
He says that he cannot wait to get back into action after a two week lay-off, adding:
"It's been frustrating because we played really well in the first two games, and to have a two week break so soon after the start of the season means it has been hard for the players not involved in internationals.
"Derby away won't be an easy game but it will be one where we have to say 'yes, we can win this game'.
"And if we go away with the right attitude I am sure we can get a good result for us - which means a win.
"Let's hope Ravanelli is not keeping us busy; he is a fantastic player.
"I give everyone at Derby respect but, that said, we want to beat them badly."
And, of England's exploits, he adds:
"Against Germany it was fantastic and seems to have lifted the whole nation; but everyone in football thought it was going to be a very difficult game against Albania and it proved to be that."