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So we've finally arrived at the summit. After playing catch-up for 27 games, West Ham are now top of the Championship table.
It's undeniably a good feeling but the trick is staying there, as Southampton have done so well until now.
Being top of the table inevitably brings added pressure. Playing West Ham inspires the opposition, even more so now we are the leaders.
The questions have already begun. How will we cope? Will the added pressure take its toll? My answer is that we'll soon find out. We're playing at Ipswich next Tuesday and our performance there against a team who beat us at Upton Park will provide everyone with some answers.
The big thing is that we have options. Papa Bouba Diop and Joey O'Brien are the only players having treatment for injuries this week and we're hopeful Joey will be fit for next Tuesday.
I would, at this point, also like to say a word or two about the club's owners, the two Davids, Gold and Sullivan, and also Karren Brady.
Right from day one, when they made available the resources to sign Kevin Nolan, they couldn't have been more supportive. Their direction and communication has been very good, which is vital for a manager.
I know how hard David Sullivan has worked in this transfer window to add real quality to our squad but as yet without reward apart from George John, who is one for now and the future. The one area where we are lacking is in front of goal.
We will keep trying, right up to next week's deadline, to sign the right player but if we don't succeed, it's not the end of the world. We can still make use of the emergency loan system after the window closes but it's not ideal.
Remember that the current squad have got us top despite a long list of injuries and suspensions. Our conversion rate is down but the statistics say that we get into the opposition's penalty area more than any other team in the division.
I don't believe the players will need any reminding about the challenge that awaits them now.
They are a confident bunch and even those who were used to playing in the Premier League now know what the Championship is all about. The quality might not be the same but it's very demanding. There are more matches requiring more physical output.
Up to now, we've been the chasers, moving slowly towards the top, but now we're the chased and things are different. The big thing is to maintain and improve our standards, technically, tactically, physically and mentally. If we do that successfully then we will achieve our objective.
The West Ham fans can also play their part. I watched Southampton against Leicester on Monday and their supporters were drifting away before the end. There is far less patience now, in life and in football grounds. I'm banking on our fans sticking with us, though. If we can do our bit then the atmosphere at the Boleyn Ground can lift everyone, the players and myself.
It's a great stadium to play in when things are going well but things can get a bit anxious at times and that transmits itself to the players. It was good to see one of our promotion rivals, Cardiff City, making it through to the Carling Cup Final.
Congratulations to Malky Mackay and his team for all their hard w**k but I am sure he is also aware of the potential pitfalls and will be managing the situation carefully.
Cup runs are great but they can be distracting, particularly if players' fatigue leads to injuries.
Birmingham City are the perfect example. They enjoyed a magnificent day at Wembley last year but then hit the buffers and ended up relegated.
We have no such distractions. We didn't seek our early exit from both cup competitions but now we have no other concerns - just one objective. We have to keep calm and carry on.
It's undeniably a good feeling but the trick is staying there, as Southampton have done so well until now.
Being top of the table inevitably brings added pressure. Playing West Ham inspires the opposition, even more so now we are the leaders.
The questions have already begun. How will we cope? Will the added pressure take its toll? My answer is that we'll soon find out. We're playing at Ipswich next Tuesday and our performance there against a team who beat us at Upton Park will provide everyone with some answers.
The big thing is that we have options. Papa Bouba Diop and Joey O'Brien are the only players having treatment for injuries this week and we're hopeful Joey will be fit for next Tuesday.
I would, at this point, also like to say a word or two about the club's owners, the two Davids, Gold and Sullivan, and also Karren Brady.
Right from day one, when they made available the resources to sign Kevin Nolan, they couldn't have been more supportive. Their direction and communication has been very good, which is vital for a manager.
I know how hard David Sullivan has worked in this transfer window to add real quality to our squad but as yet without reward apart from George John, who is one for now and the future. The one area where we are lacking is in front of goal.
We will keep trying, right up to next week's deadline, to sign the right player but if we don't succeed, it's not the end of the world. We can still make use of the emergency loan system after the window closes but it's not ideal.
Remember that the current squad have got us top despite a long list of injuries and suspensions. Our conversion rate is down but the statistics say that we get into the opposition's penalty area more than any other team in the division.
I don't believe the players will need any reminding about the challenge that awaits them now.
They are a confident bunch and even those who were used to playing in the Premier League now know what the Championship is all about. The quality might not be the same but it's very demanding. There are more matches requiring more physical output.
Up to now, we've been the chasers, moving slowly towards the top, but now we're the chased and things are different. The big thing is to maintain and improve our standards, technically, tactically, physically and mentally. If we do that successfully then we will achieve our objective.
The West Ham fans can also play their part. I watched Southampton against Leicester on Monday and their supporters were drifting away before the end. There is far less patience now, in life and in football grounds. I'm banking on our fans sticking with us, though. If we can do our bit then the atmosphere at the Boleyn Ground can lift everyone, the players and myself.
It's a great stadium to play in when things are going well but things can get a bit anxious at times and that transmits itself to the players. It was good to see one of our promotion rivals, Cardiff City, making it through to the Carling Cup Final.
Congratulations to Malky Mackay and his team for all their hard w**k but I am sure he is also aware of the potential pitfalls and will be managing the situation carefully.
Cup runs are great but they can be distracting, particularly if players' fatigue leads to injuries.
Birmingham City are the perfect example. They enjoyed a magnificent day at Wembley last year but then hit the buffers and ended up relegated.
We have no such distractions. We didn't seek our early exit from both cup competitions but now we have no other concerns - just one objective. We have to keep calm and carry on.
