Friday 12 December 2014 12:15, UK
Stewart Downing says West Ham are loving being one of this season's surprise packages after gatecrashing the Premier League top four.
The Hammers are fourth in the table and Downing reckons breaking the 'big four' stranglehold on the Champions League places is important for the good of football.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce spent a reported £31m in the summer on the likes of Diafra Sahko, Cheikhou Kouyate and Aaron Cresswell but that was dwarfed by the spending of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
"It's good, teams have spent a lot of money and people expected them to be in the top four because of what they've spent but it doesn't always work that way," Downing said.
"We have bought very well, the players coming in have settled well. Sometimes you see players coming to the Premier League struggle to adapt. It's a big plus for us."
Southampton and the Hammers have shocked the big clubs with their form during the first half of the season and Downing says that is a good thing.
"I think it would be good for the league," he added.
We've beaten Liverpool and Manchester City and ground out a win against Newcastle, which we would have lost last season. We have shown good qualities.
"If you looked at the league at the minute you'd say it was false but we're there on merit, we've done well and we've played some big teams and played them off the park on the day.
"We've beaten Liverpool and Manchester City and ground out a win against Newcastle, which we would have lost last season. We have shown good qualities."
The Hammers head to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland on Saturday and the ex-Liverpool winger thinks they can maintain their challenge for a European spot.
"We have to look at each game as it comes. It's a big thing for us, Christmas, hopefully we can get lucky with injuries and suspensions," said the 30-year-old.
"We had a difficult year last year, found it hard and were sucked in (to the relegation scrap) so this year we're playing with confidence.
"Selection gets hard and it's one the manager would like because he's never really had it. Everyone is fighting for their place and the step up in quality has been good this year."
