West Ham United manager David Moyes was keen to manage expectations when previewing his team's Premier League clash against Ralph Hassenhuttl's Southampton, predicting a "very tight" game on Sunday afternoon.
The Scot commented on the recent form between the two clubs when they have met one another, as well as the form of Jarrod Bowen this season, and their progress in the Europa Conference League too.
This match comes just three days after the Hammers beat Anderlecht 2-1 at the London Stadium to secure their place in the knockout rounds of UEFA's third tier of football on the continent, and Moyes made clear his delight at doing so.
"For us being relative newcomers to it in the last couple of years, we're making a pretty good go of European football," the 59-year-old said. "Obviously we would have liked to have got to the final [of the Europa League last year].
"And we'll do everything we can to try and have a really good run in the Conference League. I've said to the players: in every cup competition, we want to try and have a go at winning it.
"We are a good side and, on our day, we can match most teams."
Whilst he was encouraging his players not to fear any opponents, regardless of their stature, he also made a point of showing that he would not underestimate the threat that the Saints could pose at the weekend.
The Hammers have not win in this fixture since the end of the 2020/21 campaign, losing two and drawing one of the matchups since then, including a dramatic 3-2 loss at St Mary's Stadium on Boxing Day last year.
Moyes remarked: "We've had a couple of years where we've done quite well against Southampton, but recently they've done quite well against us. We will have a difficult game against them on Sunday; we always have had.
"But in the Premier League, at the moment, games are very tight. It is very difficult to make assumptions of exactly how they are going to go. There doesn't look as if there's an awful lot between a lot of teams.
"Obviously, three or four at the top are very good. But then after that, on any day, any one team could win."
"Winning is the most important thing"
One player who could be the difference in those aforementioned tight games is Jarrod Bowen, who looks to be returning to form after a period of relative goal drought for the winger, having netted in his last two Premier League appearances.
He also scored against Anderlecht on Thursday night, which Moyes pinpointed as a potential turning point for the 25-year-old when asked about the Englishman's time in front of goal as of late.
"I want Jarrod to find a real consistency now," he admitted. "I think he's maybe just started a little bit slower [than last season]. But I think he's back closer to his form. He looks as if he is going to score.
"He is in more situations where he's going to create goals as well. And generally, he is feeling much better and probably in a better condition than he was right at the start [of the season].
"It was difficult for a lot of players to come back after the end of the season last year, also international games. [...] But I'm beginning to see good things from him."
Finally, there will be many teams across Europe are currently in the midst of a hectic fixture period, owing to the abnormal mid-season break coming up in just a few weeks time for the World Cup in Qatar, meaning games are coming thick and fast.
It is, therefore, more important than ever to keep up a good run of form, and ensure that momentum is maintained between matches, which is something that Moyes is hoping his side can do, following four wins on the bounce in all competitions.
"We're back to winning and that's the most important thing," he said. "We've got a little bit of something going again. I'm still looking for improvements in different areas, in different parts of the game.
But there's room for us to get better as well, which is a good sign. Always in football winning will be the most important thing. And hopefully, we can keep that going."