Tony Gale sees no reason why the Hammers can't finish amongst
the top half a dozen teams - if they continue to play as they did
on Sunday.
"The top six is not beyond us," he says, "if you string two or three wins together the confidence comes back.
"We are certainly not a relegation side and I think we never were.
"Our home games will be our joker but we have to pick points up away from home first."
Another away trip, to Everton, has Tony warning against the early crosses for Kevin Campbell, though Duncan Ferguson has been ruled out.
"Gazza will supply the ammunition; he has always got an eye for a cross.
"But if you go too deep you really are struggling, so it is important to keep them out of the box.
"Away from home you have that tendency to drop deeper, and if they do it will be fatal.
"Schemmel has come in and done well, and if he gets tight to the wider players, that will cut out the supply.
"It was a great performance on Saturday, but I didn't think it was unexpected, because Newcastle got mullered against Manchester United, though they scored some spectacular goals.
"They are bad at the back and we are good going forward."
Tony has called on Paolo Di Canio, in the news for his appeal for support of the firemen in New York, to do more damage inside the box.
"When Paolo plays like he did against Newcastle, there are no complaints from anyone, though I think he gave it away too often with his fancy flicks.
"I'd like to see Paolo more in the box and weaving his magic in there, rather than being out taking throw-ins and everything - he is trying to be like Roy of the Rovers.
"The goal was from inside the area where he is nigh on impossible to stop."
But he also says West Ham tasted a bit of good fortune and adds:
"We were a bit fortunate with the penalty; Christian didn't mean it, but he definitely touched him.
"But we deserve a bit of luck - Christian Dailly does, anyway.
"He and Rigobert have improved throughout this season after staring off a bit rusty."
Meanwhile Glenn Roeder, reflecting on last season's incident when Paolo spurned the chance of scoring the winner as Everton's goalkeeper was injured, says:
"A lot of people have never seen anything like that; as we know Paolo can do the different, what other people wouldn't do, and that's what makes him the talent that he is.
"Whether he would the same thing in the same position this year I don't know.
"Hopefully it won't happen because it will mean their keeper won't be hurt."
* Ten minutes with Tony on RealAudio.
"The top six is not beyond us," he says, "if you string two or three wins together the confidence comes back.
"We are certainly not a relegation side and I think we never were.
"Our home games will be our joker but we have to pick points up away from home first."
Another away trip, to Everton, has Tony warning against the early crosses for Kevin Campbell, though Duncan Ferguson has been ruled out.
"Gazza will supply the ammunition; he has always got an eye for a cross.
"But if you go too deep you really are struggling, so it is important to keep them out of the box.
"Away from home you have that tendency to drop deeper, and if they do it will be fatal.
"Schemmel has come in and done well, and if he gets tight to the wider players, that will cut out the supply.
"It was a great performance on Saturday, but I didn't think it was unexpected, because Newcastle got mullered against Manchester United, though they scored some spectacular goals.
"They are bad at the back and we are good going forward."
Tony has called on Paolo Di Canio, in the news for his appeal for support of the firemen in New York, to do more damage inside the box.
"When Paolo plays like he did against Newcastle, there are no complaints from anyone, though I think he gave it away too often with his fancy flicks.
"I'd like to see Paolo more in the box and weaving his magic in there, rather than being out taking throw-ins and everything - he is trying to be like Roy of the Rovers.
"The goal was from inside the area where he is nigh on impossible to stop."
But he also says West Ham tasted a bit of good fortune and adds:
"We were a bit fortunate with the penalty; Christian didn't mean it, but he definitely touched him.
"But we deserve a bit of luck - Christian Dailly does, anyway.
"He and Rigobert have improved throughout this season after staring off a bit rusty."
Meanwhile Glenn Roeder, reflecting on last season's incident when Paolo spurned the chance of scoring the winner as Everton's goalkeeper was injured, says:
"A lot of people have never seen anything like that; as we know Paolo can do the different, what other people wouldn't do, and that's what makes him the talent that he is.
"Whether he would the same thing in the same position this year I don't know.
"Hopefully it won't happen because it will mean their keeper won't be hurt."
* Ten minutes with Tony on RealAudio.