West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola is confident his team can improve on this year's top-half finish next season.
The Italian tactician has led the Hammers to a season better than most predicted and despite being in trouble financially, Zola is adamant the club will continue to get stronger.
"We are a very young team, the players will have more experience and we might be able to improve the team for next season and so I am really pleased," he told the club's official website.
"I am absolutely positive that we will be much better next season.
"We will have Dean Ashton back and that will be a big thing for us. Plus all the players will be better next season.
"We have to make certain considerations now. The aim is still to improve the team. We don't need a bigger squad than we thought.
"It would be a pity not to end the season with a victory on Sunday (against Middlesbrough) and I have told the players that. We want to make sure it happens."