Alan Curbishley sees no reason why West Ham cannot learn from the example of Everton's patience and hard work to become a regular in the top six of the Barclays Premier League.
The Toffees remain the only side to have broken the stranglehold of the 'big four' in recent years, making it into the final Champions League qualifying place in 2005 ahead of city rivals Liverpool, and look well placed to reach Europe again this season.
It has, though, not always been plain sailing under David Moyes, who was appointed back in March 2002 and after Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger is the third longest serving boss in the top flight.
However, Curbishley - who takes his mid-table team to Goodison for tomorrow's late kick-off - feels everyone at Everton has "pulled in the right direction" for the greater good.
Curbishley said: "They have had a couple of topsy-turvy seasons, but over the last three years David Moyes has turned Everton into a top-six side.
"That has been through hard work, from the players and the club, who have had some difficult decisions to make - like when selling Wayne Rooney - but they have all been pulling in the right direction and they have done ever so well.
"If anybody is going to get to five or six years as manager in the Premier League now, then they have to be given some time, but also obviously deliver the results. That is what David has done.
"Now Everton have put themselves in there as a top-six club."
Curbishley insists, given the right set of circumstances, there is no reason why the Hammers could not push on to follow Everton's example.
He said: "I think we can do that at West Ham.
"I feel this year we have hovered mid-table for most of the season with the injury problems we have had, and for most of it the squad have stood firm, which has made us stronger.
"It tells me we can compete in the Premier League, I just need to get everyone fit so we have that competition."
Former Charlton boss Curbishley masterminded a remarkable escape from what looked certain relegation last season.
However, he has come in for criticism during the current campaign for what has been perceived as a negative approach lacking flair.
The 50-year-old is a former West Ham player, as are his assistant manager Mervyn Day and reserve team coach Kevin Keen.
Curbishley insists such a "connection" can leave no-one in any doubt just how desperate all the backroom staff are for sustained success.
"When I was at my school, John McDowell and Kevin Lock used to come in and train us. Frank Lampard used to go into his old school and train them. The whole thing was connected in the area with the community," Curbishley recalled.
"The fans who perhaps have been critical and frustrated also realise we are West Ham at heart and have come here to try to do as well as we can.
"We have all been through the club and understand what it is about.
"Hopefully, with the West Ham connection, we can all be successful because we are all Hammers fans."
After watching young striker Freddie Sears come off the bench to net a late winner on his debut against Blackburn last weekend, Curbishley hinted he could be ready to give the likes of fellow Academy products Jack Collison and James Tompkins the chance to impress.
He said: "We have been walloped 4-0 in our last two away games and got a lot of criticism, so we cannot lose sight of that.
"However, there is also a bigger picture if I decide to give some of the youngsters a go.
"We have had a lot of players injured and the squad has been tested, but I want to see what I have got available here."
Defender Jonathan Spector is set to make a dash back from international duty with the United States' Under-23 Olympics side to join the rest of the squad on Merseyside.
With England centre-half Matthew Upson struggling to overcome a calf problem, the American could well be thrown straight back into match action with little recovery time.
"Jonathan arrives back at Heathrow at 10 o'clock on Friday night, and then has to make his way up to Goodison, so probably will get there at 2 o'clock in the morning," said Curbishley.
"He is doing everything he can to get there, and is desperate to play - but it is obviously not the best thing.
"But we do have a Plan B. Maybe one of the young boys. We will see."
