Right now, life as a West Ham fan is good. Not great, but good. After a topsy-turvy last few years I think Alan Curbishley has got things moving in the right direction, with the help of some Icelandic millions, of course. I have an extra reason for being happy about being a Hammer, and that is the fact that we are sitting comfortably ahead of Spurs, who have thankfully got off to a right stinker.

One should never derive pleasure from others' misery but seeing as I am a long-suffering Boleyn boy I am going to milk it for all its worth. We were unlucky against Arsenal at the weekend and I think the lads are turning the corner. I'm looking forward to the other north London encounter in six weeks knowing that we should still be sitting in front of them in the table.

We have some eminently winnable games before then, with Sunderland and Bolton at home and a trip to Pride Park. Tottenham, on the other hand, will hopefully continue to be languishing near the foot of the table by then. My dislike for Spurs is nothing sinister, nor indeed violent. I have many friends who are Lilywhite fans and I have nothing against them per se. But I do hope we get our revenge for the two defeats last time around, most spectacularly when young Adel Taarabt roasted our defence in the last few minutes of that incredible match in March.

'I hope that we get our revenge for the two defeats last time around, most spectacularly when that young Adel Taarabt roasted our defence in the last few minutes of that incredible match in March'


The rivalry between the two clubs is as lengthy as it is vociferous and I am sure Tottenham fans can forgive a bit of goading from a West Ham fan after five years of looking up the table to our London enemies. That being said, I am sure that Martin Jol can turn things around at White Hart Lane, though hopefully not to the extent of finishing above us in the table.

Curbishley is assembling a handy squad and a little bit more tinkering in the January transfer window is all that is needed, especially with talisman Dean Ashton back in the fold. Comparing the start to this season with a year ago, you can see the progress we have made - we only had five points by this point last term and had been humiliated and outplayed by Palermo in the UEFA Cup.

At first I was unsure of Curbs and considered him something of a small fish in a big pond but he does have the right work ethic to get the club going again. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t consider the extent of my ambition for the Hammers as simply finishing above their neighbours, but it’s a start.

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