Hammers boss Glenn Roeder is being tipped as a candidate for March's Manager of the Month award after the Hammers seven point monthly haul lifted them clear of the relegation zone for the first time since November last year.
Roeder - who is still yet to convince many supporters that he is capable of proving a worthy successor to previous boss Harry Redknapp - has now led his team to three wins and a draw in their last four games; a record, as an earlier news item revealed here on KUMB that betters all bar Championship contenders Manchester United.In March alone the Hammers have beaten both Tottenham and Sunderland at home whilst drawing at Everton - a fixture which rarely produces a positive result for the Hammers.
Prior to that came the vital 2-1 win at West Bromwich Albion (although that one came in the final week of February).
So why the sudden and dramatic change in form? Many have put it down to the select group of transfer-window signings such as Lee Bowyer, Les Ferdinand and Rufus Brevett, who have without question given the whole squad a lift.
Others have pointed to a settled defence, and the introduction of the aforementioned Brevett and teenage sensation Glen Johnson, who has impressed all with his mature performances since becoming first choice right-back.
Another rather more contentious suggestion is that the team have flourished without the disruptive influence of Paolo Di Canio - a theory bound to annoy the legions of supporters who remain loyal to the Italian, despite his many disparaging outbursts in recent weeks.
Whatever the reason the dark clouds which have lingered long above Upton Park have parted - albeit slightly - to offer Roeder and his men a real chance of staving off relegation.
With the magic 40 point mark looming the Hammers will need to gain at least 10 points from their final 7 fixtures - 3 of which are at home (the games against Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Chelsea).
THe away games - at Southampton, Manchester City, Bolton and Birmingham - are likely to prove much tougher. But decent performances in those final home games could mean that the Hammers can afford to lose a couple of those.
As for Roeder - his position at the club is looking a little less precarious thanks to that recent inspired run. And as far as the award goes? Stranger things have happened ...
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