West Ham are slowly but surely putting a run together which could see them record back-to-back top half finishes in the Premier League.

Slaven Bilic’s men beat Middlesbrough 3-1 last weekend to record an eighth league win of the campaign, and their fifth league victory in their last seven matches.

It has seen the Hammers rise out of a potential relegation dog-fight up to tenth in the Premier League table, and 12 points clear of the bottom three.

They will now have the likes of Stoke and West Brom in their sights, and you can’t rule out West Ham replicating last season’s seventh place finish in the league this term, although they are eight points behind Everton, who currently occupy that position.

Nonetheless, Bilic’s men are looking up instead of down, and that mean that the Hammers boss may need to strengthen his squad in the final week of the transfer window in a bid to finish as high as possible.

And, having been linked to several names in recent weeks, here is what their IDEAL XI could look like come February 1…

Darren Randolph

Darren Randolph has usurped Adrian at the West Ham number one this season after the latter made some costly errors against West Brom and Stoke.

And Republic of Ireland international Randolph has taken his chance well with several decent performances in between the sticks for the Hammers.

He helped Bilic’s men keep key clean sheets against Burnley and Hull over the festive period, and also performed well in the games against Swansea and Crystal Palace.

The 29-year-old is clearly an excellent shot-stopper, and looks set to remain the Hammers number one for at least the remainder of the season.

Sam Byram

The right-back area has been a clear concern for West Ham this season, although Sam Byram’s solid displays against Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough suggests that they might not need to look for one this month.

The former Leeds man has struggled with injury since moving to East London this time last year, and only made four appearances in the second half of last season.

This campaign has also been riddled by injuries, but Byram looks to be back to full fitness and the looks like the player the Hammers thought they had signed from Leeds last year.

Back-to-back games in the Premier League has been good for the youngster’s recovery from injury, and decent performances in those games suggests that he could be in the side for while longer.

Jose Fonte

West Ham confirmed the signing of Southampton defender Jose Fonte last week, and what a good signing he could turn out to be.

The Portuguese international, part of the squad that won the European Championships last summer, was a fantastic servant to the Saints, playing 288 times for the club and helping them move from League One to an established Premier League side.

However, the 33-year-old clearly felt that it was time to move on, and that has benefitted West Ham as he is still an excellent defender at this level, and will make a big difference to a Hammers backline that have struggled at times this term.

Fonte will become a key part of the West Ham team over the coming weeks.

Winston Reid

Fonte and Winston Reid have the ability to form quite the partnership in the centre of the West Ham defence.

The New Zealand international has been at West Ham since 2010, and in that time has helped the club win promotion from the Championship, and indeed help solidify them as a Premier League side once again.

The 28-year-old has consistently been one of their top performers in recent months and, with Angelo Ogbonna out for the season, a partnership with Fonte should come to fruition in the next few games.

It’s a partnership that has got everything you’d want to help deal with many Premier League attackers.

Aaron Cresswell

West Ham seriously missed left-back Aaron Cresswell at the start of the season, so it’s no wonder that more frequent starts for the England international has seen the Hammers’ form improve.

The 27-year-old injured his knee during pre-season and didn’t feature for Bilic’s side in any of their opening seven Premier League matches of the campaign, of which they only won one.

However, he returned with a bang by grabbing the assist and then getting sent off in the win over Crystal Palace back in October, and since then Cresswell has remained injury-free and a key part of the West Ham team that have shot up to tenth in the division.

Cresswell deservedly got an England call-up and made his debut in the 2-2 draw with Spain back in November, and more good performances for the Hammers should see him remain part of Gareth Southgate’s plans in the near future.

Robert Snodgrass

West Ham have reportedly matched Burnley’s £10 million bid for Hull’s Robert Snodgrass in the last few days, with both sides knowing how much he’d improve their respective squads.

The Scottish international has scored seven goals and laid on three assists in 20 Premier League games this season, with his contribution to ten goals meaning that he has had a hand in half of their goals in the league this term.

That underlines how key he is to the Tigers, which is why the Hammers have had to significantly improve their offer in a bid to bring him to the London Stadium.

Bilic and co clearly recognise Snodgrass’ talent, and clearly recognise that he’d hugely benefit the Hammers’ squad.

Manuel Lanzini

Midfielder Manuel Lanzini is a very talented footballer who could be key for West Ham for many years to come.

The 23-year-old spent last season on loan with the club, and scored seven goals in 31 appearances for the Hammers to secure a permanent move in the summer.

And, this time around, he’s continued his decent form with four goals and two assists in 19 Premier League games, but it’s in the last few matches where he has really made an impact.

Lanzini netted the third in the win over Crystal Palace before claiming two assists in a wonderful display at Middlesbrough last weekend, suggesting that he is beginning to play himself into form at an important stage of the season for Bilic’s side.

With Dimitri Payet out in the cold after his recent refusal to play, Lanzini could become the focal point of this West Ham team and, if the last few matches are anything to go by, the Hammers will reap the rewards.

Cheikhou Kouyate

Senegalese international Cheikhou Kouyate is currently away on African Cup of Nations duty with his country, and West Ham’s upsurge in form may make it difficult for him to regain his place in the side.

However, the 27-year-old’s solid displays in the defensive midfield role prior to leaving on international duty makes it likely that he’ll return to the starting line-up.

Kouyate has made 18 Premier League starts for the Hammers this season and, although he like many struggled in the early phase of the campaign, the midfielder has improved drastically when played in a back three or a defensive midfield role, the latter being where he was particularly effective against Swansea on Boxing Day.

Thus, you’d expect him to return to the team when he returns from the African Cup of Nations in the coming weeks.

Michail Antonio

Arguably West Ham’s best player this season, Michail Antonio has had a wonderful few months which has seen him called up to the England squad for the first time.

The former Nottingham Forest winger has netted eight goals and laid on three assists for the Hammers this season, which makes him the club’s top-scorer and one of their most important attacking players.

His versatility has also been a huge help to Bilic, given that Antonio has played right-back, wing-back, right midfield, and as a forward this season, but it’s when he’s in the more attacking roles where he is most effective.

Although he made Sam Allardyce’s one and only England squad back in September, the 26-year-old hasn’t made an appearance for his country, yet consistently high-level performances over the coming months will may it very difficult for new boss Gareth Southgate not to include him in future squads.

Andy Carroll

There’s no surprise that West Ham’s upturn in form over the past few weeks has coincided with the return to full fitness of striker Andy Carroll.

The 28-year-old has scored five goals in his last five Premier League appearances, including a brace in a man-of-the-match display at Middlesbrough last weekend.

That adds to his sensational strike against Crystal Palace the week before, which was indicative of Carroll’s growing confidence and presence upfront for the Hammers.

If they can keep him fit for the rest of the campaign, there’s no reason why West Ham can’t record back-to-back top half finishes in the Premier League come May.

Daniel Sturridge

Andy Carroll’s recent goal-scoring run has somewhat papered over some genuine concerns with West Ham’s striking options.

Up until Carroll netted against Swansea on Boxing Day, only he and Diafra Sakho of the strikers had netted in the Premier League, with the Hammers relying on the goals of Antonio, Payet, and Lanzini to get them over the line.

Although things have picked up in recent weeks, Bilic must be considering a move for a striker this month, and one man he has been reportedly linked with is Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge.

The England striker once again turned in another disappointing performance in the Reds’ 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Wednesday night, having already had an average start to 2017.

Clearly, something isn’t quite right with Sturridge and Liverpool at present, perhaps as he’s not necessarily the striker Jurgen Klopp wants in his team, so a move away this month would be beneficial to the 27-year-old.

A move to West Ham would be supremely beneficial, as he’ll certainly get first team football, and potentially strike up quite the partnership with Carroll upfront.