Sam Allardyce is pleased to be providing the West Ham United supporters with 'value for money' as his side prepare to entertain a fourth consecutive sell-out home crowd when Stoke City visit the Boleyn Ground on Monday night.
A win could see Big Sam's side climb as high as fifth in the Barclays Premier League table and the West Ham United manager is delighted that the fans have responded so positively to the club's early-season promise. Chelsea and Liverpool both look to sell out as well and with the subsequent home fixtures against Everton and Norwich City both designated 'Kids for a Quid', the run of capacity crowds is set to continue into early 2013.
"What really matters to me is that our fans are enjoying watching us, especially at home this season and the fact we are giving a lot of value for money at the moment," Allardyce said.
"I think they appreciate the fact we are playing really well and we are playing different ways dependent on what team we are facing. At home to Manchester City, we were playing against millions of pounds worth of talent, so they all understood that our attacking side in that game might not be too adventurous as we may have been against say Sunderland or Fulham.
"It has resulted in the fact we have only lost one at home in the league, to Arsenal, and that was a terrific game. The way we played and they scored two really great goals in about ten minutes to undo us. So long may the home form and the home results continue."
While much of the press coverage in recent weeks has been dominated by the progress the club has made since Allardyce's arrival in east London, he is determined to not let complacency slip in. Barclays Premier League survival remains the primary objective and only once that is achieved will he begin to look any higher.
"I have not looked at anything better than our original target. Maybe you would say we punched above our weight this year, at the moment we are doing very well but around the corner there could be a run of results that we might struggle with.
"It is early days yet and it is about not getting carried away. It is about continuing to keep your feet on the ground and being realistic in terms of what we are and making sure we continue to play to our strengths."
Kevin Nolan has been one of the key reasons why Hammers fans are feeling a little more confident than usual going into a run of games that includes the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. The West Ham captain has already scored five times this season, leading many to champion his cause for an international call-up alongside fellow midfielder Mark Noble.
"At the end of the day if Mark continues to play well, he may well get that call. A bit like Kevin Nolan - he has played for a number of years at the top level and has been an outstanding goalscorer from midfield .
"At the moment he is in top form again, which is great from our point of view. He should have six goals not five, he had one taken away which shouldn't have been - so it should be six from 11 games not five from 11 games - and he is one of the top goalscoring midfielders in the country at the moment."
Big Sam will make a late call on the fitness of Yossi Benayoun and Matt Jarvis for Monday's encounter, with both players forced off through injury during the Hammers' last game at Newcastle United. If either or both fail to make the game then the fit-again Matt Taylor could be an option if needed.
"Yossi [Benayoun] and Matt Jarvis both came off injured at Newcastle and are not looking that great at the moment. George [McCartney] has recovered and Matt Taylor is joining in training, which is a bonus for us.
"Jarvis is a thigh [Jarvis] and Benayoun is from the tackle he got up at Newcastle, which resulted in a severely bruised shin, so that is considerably painful at the moment for him. Possibly both could be involved on Monday, but are doubtful."
Ricardo Vaz Te is another injured player who continues to make progress in his recovery from injury, although he is still not close to a first-team return. After successful surgery to help repair the damage to his shoulder, he is edging closer to being able to take part in some light training.
"It's one week at a time with Vaz. He has had major surgery on the shoulder, then there is the rehab to get the function and the movement back for him. Once he has got a full range of movement in the shoulder, then he can start a bit of light training with no contact.
"It is then a bit psychological - do you think it is okay with a bit of contact and then you move on from there. It is a long process."
