Robert Snodgrass says West Ham have to start believing they can be a top half Premier League team ahead of a nightmare run of games.
The Hammers claimed their first win of the season last night beating League One Charlton 3-0 in the Carabao Cup to book a third round tie against either Leeds United or Hull City next week, with Sebastien Haller bagging a brace and Felipe Anderson adding the third late on.
David Moyes's side opened their campaign with defeat to Newcastle on Saturday after a week of chaos following the fallout from the sale of Grady Diangana, and face Arsenal this weekend with Wolves, Leicester, Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool following the trip across London.
But having finished last season on a high, losing just one of their final seven games, Snodgrass says Moyes is looking to instil a top half mentality and the midfielder knows they have the quality.
"The manager has challenged the players because he knows how well they finished last season," Snodgrass said.
"You need to demand a high standard of yourself, put a high standard on the rest of your teammates and the lads are trying to get that relationship with the manager. Again, it is another manager that has come in and he's been here just over nine months. He is trying to get is ideas across, get the lads thinking like a top half team and we've definitely got the quality, it is just belief. It is starting the season well - we've got some tough games coming up but those lads they finished well and put in some great performances against some great sides, so why not?"
Snodgrass was in fine form before injury struck just before lockdown in March. Playing his first minutes in more than six months last night, the Scot set up Haller's second with a wonderful cross to the far post from deep and now - having pushed himself to get fit after back and quad problems - says he has plenty to give the Hammers.
"Yeah it has been a hard few months, very disappointing," he said. "That was the first game in a while, I could have played 90 - no problem - I've done a lot of conditioning work and have been pushing myself to the max to get back and push the lads that are playing and push myself because I believe I've still got so much more to give. It was a great result, we could have had six or seven against a good side, good manager. The lads have got to take confidence from some good performances and it was one we needed."
Jack Wilshere was absent from the squad last night after - according to Moyes - having rolled his ankle in training on Monday. The former Arsenal man is keen on a move away from the London Stadium this summer with MLS or even a move to the Championship an option.
