Many supporters and media pundits alike had West Ham and Saturday's visitors Bolton, down as strugglers against relegation this season.
The fact that both teams secured Premiership safety some time ago and did so while continuing to develop homegrown talent is of great credit to Hammers boss Glenn Roeder and his Trotters counterpart Sam Allardyce.
Both managers have put their trust in youthful midfielders, with Michael Carrick impressing in the Upton Park engine room while Kevin Nolan has established himself at the heart of the hard-working Wanderers side.
Carrick has won international recognition for his efforts and is an integral part of the England side that will play in the European Under-21 Championships this summer.
In the Premiership, the Wallsend-born schemer has been the Hammers' third-most prolific passer this season, making 1,177 deliveries - only Sebastien Schemmel and Trevor Sinclair have more to their names. Carrick has been equally effective with his tackling, winning possession with 68% of his challenges.
However, he has scored just twice from 34 shots and that is the area where Bolton star Nolan has the upper hand.
He's rattled home eight Premiership goals this term, the only midfielders with more are Arsenal pair Freddie Ljungberg and Robert Pires, Spurs Gus Poyet and England skipper David Beckham - not bad company to be in.
Yet despite his exploits in front of goal, Nolan has yet to win an under-21 call up and has had to make do with increasing his experience with the England under-20 team.
He certainly wouldn't let his country down. Aside from his goalscoring, Nolan has impressed by making in excess of 100 tackles and 100 dribbles and he's also helped out in defence by making 36 clearances.
With the Republic of Ireland said to be checking out his family background to see if he his eligible to represent the Emerald Isle, England may have to move swiftly after the World Cup to secure him as one of their own.
The teenager looks like having a great future in the game, and is sure to play a big part in Bolton's Premiership campaign in 2002-03.
Will Rickson