Exclusive: West Ham have new theory about Premier League return

West Ham believe they have worked out exactly how many points will be needed to secure an immediate return to the Premier League - and it is fewer than the traditional target. Hammers News can exclusively reveal that the club believes 92 points could be enough for automatic promotion this season, despite genuine belief internally that Nuno Espirito Santo and his players can target a remarkable 100-plus points.

West Ham currently sit second in the Championship after eight games with 15 points. That leaves them 10 points short of the pace required to reach the traditional95-point benchmarkacross a 46-game season.

West Ham believe 92 points will seal Premier League return At the start of the campaign, Hammers News highlighted how95 points had become the gold standard for automatic promotion over the previous decade, while also being enough to win the Championship title in five of those seasons. But West Ham have now analysed the opening stages of this season and believe the required total to get back to the Premier League could be lower.

How would YOU grade West Ham's start to the season and why? MORE WEST HAM STORIES The source pointed to some striking historical examples.

"In 2008/9, second was 83 points and Wolves won the league with 90 points. " While 92 points is the club's current theory for what will be required, that does not mean West Ham are planning to scrape over the line.

West Ham still believe 100 points is possible There is genuine confidence inside the club that Nuno's side can still break the100-point barrier. "We hope we get 100 points plus, but that is not easy after our poor start in those first three games, but we think 92 will get us up," the source told Hammers News.

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West Ham's opening three Championship matches produced only three points, leaving them with considerable ground to make up. But their form has since improved dramatically and the Hammers have now put themselves firmly into the promotion picture.

The club also believes the current pace at the top of the Championship will not necessarily last. That could prove crucial given the number of teams currently fighting for the automatic promotion places.