Mark Noble believes West Ham United's excellent business in the summer transfer window has allowed the team to progress to a new level.
The likes of Jussi Jaaskelainen, James Collins, Momo Diame, Matt Jarvis, Modibo Maiga and Andy Carroll have all impressed since arriving at the club, which has led to Noble looking up rather than down. Those new recruits are likely to be tested to the full when Arsenal visit the Boleyn Ground for a sold-out London derby on Saturday afternoon.
"We signed some top players during the summer, such as Matt Jarvis and Mohamed Diame and we have brought in big Andy on loan. It has really boosted the squad, the morale here is brilliant.
"I think the team's performance in the first half against QPR was very good, we kept the ball well, passed it well, got it out to the wide men and caused them a lot of problems."
The Hammers have picked up eleven points from their opening six games to give themselves an excellent platform going into Saturday afternoon's teatime kick-off against the Gunners.
"We have stepped it up as a team this season from being in the Championship, but you have to in order to compete in the Premier League.
"We have had a good start to the season and we want to continue it against Arsenal this weekend, we have to concentrate on that now, it is going to be a very tough game."
The Hammers go into the game above their visitors from north London and a positive result against them at the Boleyn Ground will almost certainly leave them in the top half of the table come the final whistle.
"We are looking up, but as think some of the other lads have been saying we won't get carried away with the start we have made.
"Finishing in the top half would represent a fantastic first season back in the Premier League. Our main aim is to consolidate top flight football but with the players we have added to the squad we can really push on and go for that top half finish."