He says he and his team mates do not subscribe to the theory of simply aiming to maintain Premiership status being the sole signifier of a successful season, and he explains: "I am desperate for European football. I definitely want to be playing in Europe next year, and I'm sure the other lads do as well.
"We'll have to go for eighth or seventh place - I certainly want to be in Europe in the following campaign, and it's something for us to go for.
"Us, Tottenham, Fulham, Villa, and Charlton maybe, are battling for one place in a mini-league really, but we have a tough game coming up and we are not counting our chickens yet."
Indeed, a win or two is still required to guarantee safety, and Joe adds: "We'll get to 40 points and then we'll start thinking about it. I really, really, really want to play in Europe and I can't wait to get out there and win some more points.
"You can attract a certain type of player when you are in Europe, so we have got to start climbing the table."
He cannot wait to get back into action after a 10 day lay-off, and says: "We'd have liked this game to have been last weekend because when you win you get your backs are up. You look forward to the next game so much, especially with it being at home.
"If we can get anything from this game we will take it because they are a quality team. Anything would be great for us as they are on fire at the moment.
"It's a happy club at the moment but we don't want to get complacent and we want to make sure we are on the ball because we have got the champions coming to town at the weekend and it will be a very difficult game."
He hopes to be reunited in central midfield with Michael Carrick, who could return after a six week gap following a groin operation, and adds: "All the lads are looking to having Michael back. We've won and lost without him but overall we have missed him as he is a quality player and it would be good to have him back in the side."
And he sends a 'get well soon' message to Don Hutchison as he returns from his cruciate ligament operation in Canada.
"He is in the best hands," says Joe, "and hopefully he will come back stronger than ever - I wish him all the best for a quick recovery."
Meanwhile, Joe is maintaining radio silence concerning his prospects of playing in the World Cup this summer.
When asked if it is because he does not want to appear immodest, he replies: "That is spot-on. I don't want to talk about it, I just want to carry on playing for West Ham, and that is it.
"I'm just on a learning curve, learning different parts of the game, and I am enjoying it."
Now the hair is blond, will he be adding a few plaits for the visit of the champions?
"That's not me," he laughs, "I will leave that to Jamo."