MANCHESTER City boss Stuart Pearce is no stranger to Hammers fans
after spending two seasons at Upton Park.
But someone who knows him better than most, is former Nottingham Forest team-mate and England compatriot, Teddy Sheringham.
Teddy's lone season at the City Ground was spent alongside Pearce, and the pair also regularly represented their country throughout the 1990's.
"He brings enthusiasm and passion to the dressing room",
explained Teddy ahead of Hammers trip to face Pearce's
Manchester City on Sunday.
"It seems as if he gets the players really up for the games.
"He's a breath of fresh air, the way he's come in and excited the Manchester City fans with the way that his team are playing.
"It looks like he's doing a good job up there. They've had a very good start and he's got them all buzzing and playing as a team, so it's going to be difficult for us.
"We've started the season well though, and we can go up there with a lot of confidence."
Another old team-mate that Teddy may run into on Sunday, is former Manchester United strike partner, Andy Cole, who's now defected to the blue half of the city.
"He's a goal scorer and he'll be in and around the box hoping to sniff out a goal", he said. "
"Andy is always going to score goals."
West Ham remain unbeaten away from home since March, but
Teddy's not feeling the pressure of such a good run.
"There's always pressure on every game, however you look at it," he said.
"If you've won, or haven't won you've still got to do well in the next game, and pick up points."
But when asked of his own situation, and the large number of games he has played so far Teddy's reply was simple.
"I'm a footballer and I just want to play football.
"Middlesbrough's another week away so we'll just see how it goes - but I'd like to think that I'll be fit for that."