West Ham's players have staged their recent mini-revival in the knowledge that they will have their wages cut by 50 per cent if they go down.
The Hammers have been impressive under David Moyes in their last three games, defying expectations against three of the top flight's toughest sides.
They got the opening goal away to leaders Manchester City and came within seven minutes of earning an unlikely point, then caused a massive upset with a 1-0 home win over champions last weekend.
And in Wednesday’s goalless draw , they became the first team to stop Arsenal scoring in the Premier League for three months.
It has left rejuvenated West Ham only in the bottom three on goal difference as they head to struggling Stoke, beaten in four of their last five, on Saturday.
They welcome Newcastle, losers of seven in eight, a week later, before a Boxing Day trip to a Bournemouth side without a win in five.
They still aim to make signings in January, but confidence they will avoid the drop is steadily rising following a nightmare start to the season under Moyes' predecessor, Slaven Bilic.
Most of the squad's deals have clauses which mean they will be forced to accept having their wages slashed in the event of relegation.
Exempt are the likes of on-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart, whose wages are split between the Hammers and parent club Manchester City.
West Ham have a policy of including the clauses in contracts, as revenue drops markedly in the Championship.
Under the rules of the second tier, clubs run the risk of sanctions should they lose more than £5m a year.