After enduring a torrid time in 2008 - both on and off the field - West Ham have finally come good under the guidance of Gianfranco Zola...

Carlton Cole

England's desire to employ the big-man-little-man forward line has led to plenty of players being labeled “the new Emile Heskey”. Most have dropped into obscurity, resulting in the Lazarus-like resurrection of Heskey himself. Yet, at the moment, Carlton Cole appears to be the real deal. The striker drifted around Chelsea's reserves before moving to West Ham in 2006, where his career started slowly. However, this season he's been excellent and in his last five games he's scored five goals - as well as contributing four assists - making him undroppable for West Ham and a possible for Fabio Capello's next England squad.

Gianfranco Zola

It's probably a bit premature to declare West Ham: "everybody's second favourite side", but with the little Italian at the helm they've certainly shed their dislikeable image. Not only has he brought his impish grin and schoolboy enthusiasm to grounds across the country but he has also managed to get the Hammers playing fluid, attractive football.

Steve Clarke

Everybody has an opinion on why Chelsea are struggling this season. Some blame injuries to key players others blame a lack of cohesion up front, however the smart money is on Steve Clarke's departure in the autumn. Clarke was a key figure at Chelsea during the glory years and he commanded the respect of most of the senior players. Without him they look a shadow of the side that won the league two years in a row.

Collins and Upson

In Matthew Upson and James Collins West Ham have a pair of Titans at the back. Upson has featured in every one of West Ham's League games this season while Collins has only missed three matches. Their collective display against Sunderland was a masterclass in no-nonsense defending. Every ball that was played forward was confidently repelled by the duo as the Black Cats attack withered under the floodlights.

Craig Bellamy

One thing that you can rely on in football is Craig Bellamy's unreliability. On the 18 December the Welsh striker and part time golfer declared that he was “Happy at West Ham”, yet merely a month later he decided he had had enough at Upton Park and hopped aboard the Manchester City gravy train. There is no doubt that Bellamy is a talented footballer, but injuries and lack of form meant that he only managed seven league goals during his time at West Ham. Couple this with the significant profit the Hammers made on his £14 million transfer to Manchester City and you have a great bit of business by Zola.

Youngsters

Somewhere in an alternative universe West Ham are reigning Premier League champions with a team consisting of: Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick, and Jermain Defoe. A nice thought, but even though Hammers' fans may lament those enforced sales they can still be proud that the Upton Park factory is still pumping out youngsters at a fair old rate. Last season Freddie Sears, James Tomkins and Jack Collison all made good impressions and as long as they can hold on to them the future looks bright.

Summer signings

Selling Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney – two of West Ham's better players – and bringing in the likes of Valon Behrami, Herita Ilunga and David Di Michele didn't look the greatest move. However, all three new signings have fitted in seamlessly. Ilunga is defensively competent as well as an attacking threat, Behrami is a potent wide player, and Di Michele – as shown by his match-winning performance against Hull – is acting as the team's creative fulcrum.

Robert Green

In Robert Green the Hammers have one of the best goalkeepers in the country. A reliable shot-stopper who often pulls off exquisite saves, Green isn't bad at saving penalties either, stopping three spot kicks last season. At 29 Green is in his prime and has been knocking on the England door for years. Last season he had “England's No.6” stitched on to his gloves as he laughed off not being picked for the national side. He might not be playing for England yet, but he's certainly West Hams' no 1.

Scott Parker

Every club needs a player like Scott Parker; someone who can break-up an attack and propel the side forward. It's not a glamorous job – and often goes without praise – but like binmen and farmers, if they weren't there everything would fall apart. While Cole and Upson have rightly drawn praise, Parker has been quietly working away in the background and after a sluggish start to the season he's finally proving he is no flop.

Current form

Before Christmas West Ham's form was patchy; they secured draws against both Chelsea and Liverpool but lost to Hull and Bolton. Since the turn of the year they have been sublime, progressing into the fifth round of the FA Cup and rising up the League. Crucially they've also beaten the sides around them ensuring that, although they are probably not good enough to qualify for Europe, they certainly won't be involved in the relegation scrap.