Manuel Pellegrini would have happily taken West Ham's current position in the Premier League, had it been offered to him after they started the season with four successive losses.
The Hammers arrive at the halfway mark in mid-table and Pellegrini says his players showed character to bounce back from their poor run of results in August and September.
On Thursday night at the St Mary's Stadium they face a rejuvenated Southampton who have won their last two games after Ralph Hasenhuttl replaced Mark Hughes as manager.
West Ham lost to Watford in their final fixture before Christmas and want to stay closer to the top of the table rather than those battling relegation at the bottom.