Alan Pardew has said that he is happy for his team to continue their attacking ways against title-chasers Arsenal this weekend.
The Hammers host the Gunners on Saturday in what has become one of the most keenly-fought London derbys. Recent matches between the two teams have witnessed a host of dismissals, penalties and controversial decisions - and this weekend's meeting looks set to be another cracker as Pardew looks ready to continue with his attacking philosophy.That philosophy has earned the Hammers boss much praise in recent days, with his team having scored 10 goals in their opening five league games (plus four more at Sheffield earlier this week in the Carling Cup) taking 10 points in the process. Only current leaders Chelsea have scored more with 12 - although they have played a game more than West Ham.
It has been widely suggested in the media this week that the Hammers should take a more cautious approach when Arsenal visit the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, in order to avoid being hit on the counter-attack. But Pardew, it seems, is having none of it.
"Arsenal, with due respect to our last two opponents, are a different prospect," he said.
"Our young players should be looking forward to it, although it will be a tricky one.
"We are on a bit of a high, and we want to keep feeling that way. The result [at Sheffield Wednesday] was a good one because it means we keep that winning mentality going.
"We are trying to play the right way, with an openness - which I admit has left us a little bit vulnerable at times. But so far in the Premier League we've been okay."
Pardew's team have been praised for breaking the trend towards defensive football this season, a policy adopted by many fellow Premiership teams this year as they look to avoid conceding goals rather than scoring them.
The Hammers have scored more goals than Everton, Manchester United and Liverpool put together so far this season - all of which points toward another fascinating encounter at the Boleyn this weekend.
"It will be a full house, an exciting day for us and we are looking forward to it," added Pardew.
"There is a good feeling here at the moment - We are on a bit of a high, and we want to keep feeling that way."
* Useless stat - no team which has taken 10 points from their opening 10 games has ever been relegated from the Premiership.
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