WHU blog: We are top of the league...

Over half of the Championship season has been and gone and finally, West Ham fans can say that they are top of the league! After Southampton lost 2-0 to Leicester on monday evening and missed the chance to go back to the top of the table, West Ham remain at the top after a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on saturday.

Being top of the league may put extra pressure on the players and the manager to stay there, but speaking as a West Ham fan, I'd just like to see them back in the Premier League after last season's horror show and I wouldn't mind missing out on winning the Championship if it meant a 2nd place finish and more crucially, not finishing in the play-off places.

This could prove to be a crucial time in the season for both clubs. The next 3 games look a bit easier for West Ham (Ipswich away, Millwall at home and Peterborough away) compared to Southampton's next 3 league games of Cardiff at home, Birmingham away and Burnley at home. West Ham should look to get the maximum 9 points out of their games to ensure that the Saints don't go back on top, however their game against Birmingham could be the real turning point in the season for Southampton because their opponents have been on form recently and Southampton's less than impressive away record would lead many to believe that a slip us in this game would give West Ham an advantage, however any real advantage would only exist if the Hammers were to beat Peterborough and therefore extend the gap at the top.

However, if the gap stays at 3 points, the game at Upton Park between the Championship's current top 2 will be very important as it could extend West Ham's gap to 6 points, or it could shorten the gap to 1 point if Southampton win. Needless to say, whatever the situation is by Feburary 14th, both teams will be in an attacking mindset.

We mustn't forget the threat that the teams in the play-off places pose, if Cardiff can stay consistent  and the two in front of them slip up, they could have a chance of going up automatically after missing out on promotion after being in the play off places twice in the last 2 seasons. Although West Ham 's and Southampton's main aim should be extending the gap between themselves and that dreaded 3rd place.

Come on you Irons!

TB 2012