From the Boardroom - David Gold

West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Gold looks ahead to the big London derby and recalls one of his greatest moments at the Boleyn Ground

After nine games we are fourth in the Premier League and are virtually a quarter of the way through the season. We have shown that we are a decent side.


The fans are excited by the way we are playing and the results we have achieved this season.


We go into a big game against Chelsea feeling very optimistic but I have to stress they are a wounded animal and we are still facing the Premier League champions.


There is very little change in the squad from last season and I see them challenging again this year.


I am aware of the great talent they have got and there is still a long way to go.


I have great admiration for the job Jose Mourinho has done at Chelsea and I know the criticism he has received this season will be hurting him and everyone at the Club.


It can all change for them so quickly but we obviously hope that will not happen on Saturday.


I am looking forward immensely to the game and feel fairly relaxed. It is nice to know we are not struggling at the foot of the table and we are competing at the right end.


Slaven's contribution has been fantastic and he has helped put together the strongest squad of players since we took ownership of the Club.


Each of the nine games we have played this season, the bench has only got stronger and I am sure it will be the same again when we play Chelsea.


I mentioned it last week but I thought James Collins was outstanding during the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace. That was his first Premier League start but it shows the strength in depth that we have got in the squad.


There is no certainty for anyone to keep their place and they have to keep performing to the best of their ability every week to stay in the team.


If James is picked to play against Chelsea on Saturday, I am sure he will not let anyone down once again and will relish the chance to come up against a talented player like Diego Costa. We will certainly need James to be at his best.


These are the last occasions we are going to see big Clubs like Chelsea coming to the Boleyn Ground and I know it is going to be another special atmosphere inside the stadium.


I am sure all eyes will once again be on Dimitri Payet but I don't think it matters who we play against. Payet plays his game and shines whoever the opposition is.


But he also has other players who help him perform so well. He is relishing the chance to play with the likes of Sakho, Lanzini and Carroll.


I know we are celebrating the Club's greatest moments at the Boleyn Ground when we face Chelsea.


One of my greatest moments was seeing Sir Stanley Matthews play for Blackpool at Upton Park and he was someone who was so iconic at that time – probably how David Beckham is now.


But he was upstaged by a small winger called Jimmy Andrews who managed to get the winner in a 2-1 victory back in 1952.


I am sure our supporters have so many magical memories throughout the years and let's hope we can provide another one with three points against the champions on Saturday.