The term “business end of the season” gets bandied about often but rarely has it been so true for West Ham.
While their Premier League form has tailed off somewhat, the Europa League offers a chance of glory.
Jack Rosser looks at what lies ahead in the run-in...
What shape is the squad in after the international break?
Things are looking better for West Ham following the break. There were fears that Jarrod Bowen may not be fit to face Lyon next week by David Moyes is sounding more confident around his fitness by the day, while Vladimir Coufal is also close to making his return.
Angelo Ogbonna has been a long-term absentee but the Italian is hopeful of making a surprise return before the end of the season, while Michail Antonio has been much more robust and largely avoided injury this season.
What is the club aiming for from the rest of the season?
History, frankly. West Ham’s continued progression under Moyes has been impressive and they are fighting for consecutive finishes in the European spots, but the real hope lies in the Europa League.
The Hammers are into a first quarter-finals since 1981 and they are not shy about pushing to win a first continental trophy since 1965. It is a tall order, but one Moyes is seriously pushing for.
And the minimum requirement?
To prevent any vitriol from the fan base over a lack of investment in the squad in January, finishing in the European spots is somewhat of a must.
West Ham have slipped out of the race for the top four, something that was slightly skewed by the postponement of games, but can still put up quite the fight for the top six with some of their rivals for those spots still to play one another.
Staying in Europe can change West Ham for the long term.
What are the factors that will settle the campaign?
Fitness will be key given the relative size of West Ham’s squad but also their evolving mentality. Moyes has moved his side away from their "flaky" and inconsistent past and is now talking of them stepping up to the big stage and feeling comfortable there.
Sevilla at the London Stadium was a night of huge emotion, but the Hammers squad - not used to these occasions so regularly - must learn to take them in their stride. With so few games left in the Premier League and at least two but potentially four of them following European games there can be no case of it being after the Lord Mayor’s show if they are to fight on all fronts.
What’s the mood in the camp?
It is mainly excitement now. The Hammers went into the break off the back of a disappointing defeat to Tottenham, but some time off to recover and with memories of that victory over Sevilla still fresh in their minds the Hammers are itching to get going and get into some huge occasions once again.
Who’s got something to prove?
Said Benrahma has been inconsistent this season. The Algerian started well and then fell off a cliff before stepping up once more before the March international break.
With such a small squad and fine margins to come over the next six weeks, Moyes needs everyone to be fit and firing when it counts. European football has been a more comfortable stage for Benrahma and he could become key in the ties against Lyon.
Remaining fixtures:
Everton (H)
Lyon (H)
Brentford (A)
Lyon (A)
Burnley (H)
Chelsea (A)
Arsenal (H)
Norwich (A)
Machester City (H)
Brighton (A)
Prediction:
6th, Europa League semi-final
