Mark Noble believes it is only a matter of time before West Ham are chasing European qualification.
Hammers midfielder confident club are on the right track
Mark Noble believes it is only a matter of time before West Ham are chasing European qualification.
The Hammers have spent the last few years toiling at the wrong end of the Premier League table, and find themselves locked in a relegation battle again this season.
There are, however, signs that better times lie ahead, with a 0-0 draw with top-four chasing Tottenham on Saturday proving they can compete with England's elite.
Productive business in the January transfer window has helped West Ham to start edging clear of trouble, with Demba Ba, Wayne Bridge and Robbie Keane adding quality and experience to the Upton Park ranks.
Noble hopes such signings are an indication of things to come, with there no reason why the Hammers cannot be competing for a lofty finish in the not too distant future should they be able to entice high-calibre recruits to the East End.
He said: "I would be the first to say that it hasn't been going well for the last few years but if we can bring in players like that, do good business in the windows, with the foundations we have, the fans we have, and the club how it is, there is no reason why we can't do what Tottenham are doing."
Bridge was among those to star for the Hammers again over the weekend, as he kept Aaron Lennon quiet.
His progress since signing on loan from Manchester City has been marked, with a difficult debut against Arsenal long since forgotten.
Noble believes the full-back should now reconsider his international exile, with Fabio Capello likely to be keen on adding him to the England fold.
The midfielder said: "Bridgey hadn't been playing for a year when he made his debut, and playing against Theo Walcott is not the easiest task.
"But he has not let it affect him - he is an international and he knows how good he is.
"I am sure that if he keeps playing the way he does then Mr Capello will be on the phone to him."
