Source: SKY_Sports
Collison backing revival
West Ham's fit again midfielder Jack Collison has told skysports.com he is confident the club will turnaround their below-par start to the campaign.
Big things were expected of Gianfranco Zola's Hammers this season, but seven Premier League games in the East Londoners find themselves second from bottom in the standings.
Although West Ham have won just one league outing so far Collison still believes the club can emulate Spurs' example of last season and challenge for a European spot
The Hammers' London rivals suffered their worst start to a Premier League campaign in their history last season before Harry Redknapp guided them to an impressive eighth placed finish.
"I don't think anyone expects themselves to be down there, but it's very early on in the season we believe as a team that we've got a good enough squad and the right management and staff to get us away from where we are and hopefully push on for European places later on in the year," he told skysports.com.
"If you look at Spurs last season they had a really poor start and managed to turn it right around.
"We've only played eight games this season and I think a win at the weekend we can really pick things up kick on between now and Christmas. We can then reassess and then have another push until the end of the season."
Collison was a regular for Zola early in the season before a niggling calf strain curtailed his involvement, although he is now fully fit and hoping to take part against Stoke this weekend.
"I'm fully fit. I've been training a week or so. I played in a practice match last week, so I'm fully fit going into the weekend. It's up to the manager now," he continued.
"I obviously started the first three or four games of the season and then unfortunately picked up a little niggle, so I haven't been in and around the team for a little while has been a little bit frustrating for me.
"I'm back fully fit and looking to force my way into the starting line-up."
Although West Ham find themselves in the drop zone early on Collison does not believe Zola needs to alter the team's approach to games and expects his team-mates will go for the win at The Britannia.
Stoke are particularly strong on home soil, however the Wales international is confident the team's preparations will stand them in good stead to shut down the likes of Rory Delap's set-pieces.
"Our manager wants us to go out there and play to win every game I don't think it'll be any different on the weekend obviously.
"We're in a bit of a nasty position at the moment so I think a good three points and a good performance can help turn things around for us.
"Each game you've got to approach it slightly differently. Playing away to Stoke we're fully prepared for their set-pieces and their long throw-ins.
"We've been practicing this week how we're doing to deal with that and how we're going to protect the game ourselves and push forward and get goals."
Wales have missed out on next summer's World Cup finals and Collison is now setting his sights on winning a place in John Toshack's squad and helping his adopted nation secure a place at Euro 2010.
"I'd like to work my way and get back into the Welsh team. That's another aim of mine," noted Collison.
"It's been a very disappointing campaign as we felt we had the players to really try challenge at the top of the group.
"Unfortunately that hasn't happened for one reason or another, but we feel we've got good young players along with a couple of experienced players, like Craig Bellamy and Danny Gabbidon.
"We're going to have a real crack at the Euros."
