Carlton Cole reckons West Ham can come good over the second half of the season and push for a European place.The Hammers were unfortunate not to leave with a victory from their second trip to Manchester City in the space of a week, when a dubious goal from Darius Vassell ensured the match ended all square after Cole had netted an acrobatic overhead kick in the seventh minute.

Despite all of their injury problems, with striker Dean Ashton and Matthew Etherington now added to those in a crowded treatment room, Alan Curbishley's depleted squad continue to make progress and are in the top half of the table on the back of only three defeats in 14 Premier League games.

Curbishley sees no reason why his side should not be able to press the top eight - and former England Under-21 striker Cole declared: "I really believe we're confident enough to push on now.

"We're in 10th spot at the moment - but we're only a couple of wins away from the top six and, if we had got the win we deserved against City, we would have been even closer."

Former Chelsea forward Cole has certainly found a new lease of life with the Hammers this season following an uncertain spell in what had been a promising early career at Stamford Bridge.

"I'm more relaxed than at any time so far," Cole said in the London Evening Standard.

"The manager has faith in me and he's known what I can do since he took me to Charlton on loan as a youngster.

"I'm getting a real run of games now for the first time and it's great to have a real opportunity to show what I can do, not only for the team but for myself."

Cole, who had a late effort tipped over the crossbar by busy young City keeper Joe Hart, added: "I've never really tested myself before, I've been a bit laid-back and not capitalised on the opportunities I've had, but now I really feel I'm in a good place.

"I work with a sports psychologist and he's been a great help.

"Since I've been talking with him I know I've looked a different player.

"Often he's just stated the obvious. Sometimes you don't realise what is right there in front of you and you need someone from outside looking at your game, analysing every aspect."

After masterminding a famous escape from what seemed certain relegation when he took over at Upton Park last season, Curbishley is very much looking for continued progress in the right direction, especially with the likes of Wales forward Craig Bellamy close to a return.

He said: "For us the run-in starts now. We have to try and catch the teams just above us in the Premier League table.

"We lost another couple of players before this match and that's been the story of our season.

"But we are getting a few players back now to freshen it up and if we stay as committed as we did against City, then I like to think we could finish in the top eight."

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