Aaron Cresswell is targeting another strong start to the season for West Ham - but knows they must carry it into the new year this time around.
The Hammers kick-off their Premier League campaign at Arsenal on Sunday under new boss Slaven Bilic.
The Croatian has already seen his side dumped out of the Europa League as the club prioritise their domestic campaign.
Last season under Sam Allardyce, West Ham started strongly before tailing off massively during the second-half of the season and finishing down in 12th after a potential top-eight spot slipped away.
Cresswell played his part as one of a host of new arrivals and the reigning Hammer of the Year wants a similar start this time around.
"Last year we hit the ground running with the signings that came into the building and hopefully we can do the same this year," he told West Ham TV.
"We had a good first half to the season last season, but the second half wasn't so good. If we can get a good start and take it into the Christmas period, we can kick on from there. The main aim is to finish in the top 10."
A trip to the Emirates Stadium is a difficult start for Bilic, who left a host of first-team regulars at home as they lost to Romanian side Astra Giurgiu on Thursday night.
Cresswell admits the early start to Europa League action was not ideal but believes they can get a positive result from the London derby.
"We have prepared ourselves the best we possibly could do over the last few weeks," he added.
"It's been tough at times, playing Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, but we've adapted well to it and hopefully it will stand us in good stead come the start of the Premier League season.
"It's the Premier League and anyone can beat anyone, but we know it's not going to be easy going there and it's not going to be a stroll in the park.
"We're going to go there and give 110 per cent, as we will in every game we play, and hopefully we'll get a result there."
Source: PA
