While things are a little dismal for Hammers fans at the Transfer Tavern currently, it’s always worth looking at what could have been.

Five years ago West Ham were playing in the Championship after suffering the indignity of finishing bottom in 2011.

Obviously the fans know a club like that shouldn’t have gone down, but it’s worth noting how well the Hammers bounced back and established themselves in the top flight.

They could easily have joined clubs like Newcastle and Aston Villa in dropping down a level, with the latter in particular not looking like returning anytime soon.

Last season’s seventh-placed finish was a particular success in recent times; West Ham’s second best finish in Premier League history.

With that considered and having moved into a brand new stadium, the future could be bright for the Claret and Blues side should they get out of their current mire.

With that in mind, the Tavern looks at the three best things West Ham have done since returning to the top flight.

MANAGERIAL CHANGES

An unpopular appointment among many Hammers fans at the time, Sam Allardyce just about fulfilled his job remit by earning promotion through the play-offs at the first time of asking.

Allardyce then did well in stabilising the club with a solid defensive base and keeping the Hammers comfortably in mid-table.

While Big Sam’s brand of football did its job however, the powers craved a manager who would bring in an attacking style.

While many saw Allardyce’s sacking as a little unfair, Bilic’s first season was a great success.

The Croatian is now struggling, but should he not get them out of trouble, Hammers fans will be hoping the next appointment brings success as well.

FOCUSING ON THE CUPS

Particularly among those sides chasing European football, it is common to neglect the cup competitions in order to have a crack at a higher league position.

It was therefore refreshing to hear Bilic say last season that he’d rather win the FA Cup than qualify for the Champions League as he wanted to give the fans silverware.

Not enough managers value the cups, which can be memorable days out for fans, particularly in the latter stages.

West Ham managed an FA Cup quarter final last year and were unlucky to go out to eventual winners, Manchester United.

DIMITRI PAYET

It may be a little over-simplistic to pick just one signing as a highlight for a club, but when it’s Dimitri Payet, you make an exception.

From his debut onwards, Payet has been without doubt one of the best players in the league, wowing the Hammers fans with his tricky dribbling, wonderful vision and penchant of scoring incredible free-kicks.

Payet’s performances have elevated his team onto another level and he seems to be the orchestrator of every Hammers attack. The Frenchman is a gem, and one West Ham will be hoping to admire for a while yet.