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1985 11:06 Tue Apr 19
Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

No, this isn't an Olly Crom fishing thread. Just a few thoughts on our star man that I'm running up the flagpole to see how they fly (strokes beard and relaxes into leather chair).

Anyway. Payet. An incredible season for the Hammers. Loves us because we love him. He is on record many times this season about how he has never experienced such affection from supporters before. THE song, etc.

And there is no doubt.... He has been a revelation for us. The flicks, the tricks. He gets the crowd going with anticipation of what he might do when he gets the ball. The pirouette at Anfield, the deft chip away at Palace. A player that we have been crying out for. One that we have craved for so long.

The phenominal free kicks. There is no doubt that this player is something else, and is regarded by many Hammers die-hards as being in the same bracket as Brooking, Di Canio and Tevez.

But, is he really an automatic pick? Is Slav playing him out of position? Does he need to start a game or two from the bench? He has recently said to Thierry Henry in an interview that the West Ham midfield 'relieve me of my defensive duties.'

Can we afford that luxury at the moment or should we be brave enough to stiffen up the midfield?

If we didn't start with Lanzini AND Payet, as per the last game, would you bench Lanzini or Payet?

Slav has some difficult choices to make, but if I were in his boots, I'd drop Payet to the bench. Our season isn't over and, although I'd say 4th or even 5th is slipping out of our hands, I'd take the weight of expectation off him for a bit and take the pressure off . Might do him some good psychologically. Still plenty of time in the 90 to bring him on...

As an aside. HOTY? For me, not Payet. He has taken all of the plaudits (shortlisted for player of the season etc, well deserved), but Antonio has stood out for me. He might not have anywhere near the talent of Dimitri but he works his balls off, has been asked to play in a role that is not his natural role and has given it his best. A GRAFTER. What I love to see in C&B. Plus he has also, like Payet, scored some valuable goals (when played in his more natural attacking role)

Come on wise people of WHO. What do you think?

Brucies_Star_Prize 4:38 Thu Apr 21
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

He may not have hit the heights in recent games, but he's still assisted more goals in 2016 than any other player (bar James Milner).

He's not going 'to boss' every minute of every match, however his quality is such that he can have a relatively quiet match and still make a key contribution to the outcome.

He's been shortlisted for PFA Player of the Year, so any suggestion that he shouldn't be one of the first names on the team sheet is quite frankly ludicrous!

Russ of the BML 4:17 Thu Apr 21
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

One thing you need is a manager that isn't scared of subbing or dropping Payet. And I don't think Bilic is.

There will certainly be games when he isn't having an impact and should be subbed. Bilic has done that.

And I am sure Bilic has the man management skills to be able to drop Payet if he feels it necessary. And do it in a proper way that leaves both the player and the fans in no confusion as to why.

The only reason I can see him doing that would be down to tiredness. So if Bilic feels he could do without starting a couple of games to get his freshness back then that's fine.

Sniper 1:47 Thu Apr 21
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Having him on the pitch creates space for others as teams are terrified of him and double mark/send anyone to close him downy hats why I love the idea of playing him in behind two strikers. In the same way that sakho and Valencia pulled defences all over the shop last season and crates space for downing when he played in the hole, so playing two up top can create the space for payet

Hope we carry on like that, just with a proper right back as it leaves us a little vulnerable in wide areas

franksfat&slow&wank 1:19 Thu Apr 21
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

yep first name on the team sheet and anyone who would consider questioning this would be deluded

a quiet payet is never a liability

he always has something in the locker and the ball to carroll supported that

Rossal 12:39 Thu Apr 21
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Dont think anyone is calling for him to be replaced/sold

Just that his last 4 games have been well below his usual standard

The fact that there are other players pushing for his place shows how competitive our squad is at the moment

Chopper Toshack 12:36 Thu Apr 21
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Let's replace him with Carlton Cole shall we?

SHALL WE?

claret on my shirt 11:32 Thu Apr 21
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

What a stupid question, is the guy who is on the list with 5 other players for the PFA Player of the Year an automatic pick for us. FFS

BetterthanKaka 11:16 Thu Apr 21
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Fucking hell - what a BIZARRE thread.

Rossal 11:14 Thu Apr 21
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Was best game in 4 last night, but still off form

Think Kouyate first name down at the moment, immense last month or so

ironsofcanada 11:13 Thu Apr 21
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

One McAvennieeeeee 8:39 Thu Apr 21

Number of other people saying the same thing but as always love the special attention. Shows you take the time to notice, its sweet.

But as I said, had some moments where he looked better in open play, not a MASSIVE game in that respect but headed in the right direction.

One McAvennieeeeee 8:39 Thu Apr 21
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

So he was physically ok last night, Canada?

He wasn't a bit SLEEPIES?

tobster 2:28 Thu Apr 21
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Teams are shit scared of Payet in the side so are aware of what he is capable of so obviously close him down quicker and get more players on to him as of the start of the season when no one knew just how good he was.

Today I felt he had a couple of good chances but wants to look for that perfect finish with each shot

ironsofcanada 1:03 Thu Apr 21
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Had some moments moving with the ball that looked like he was approaching his earlier form in open play.

Baggins 1:01 Thu Apr 21
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Created the first goal tonight with a ridiculous ball.

Which is exaxtly why he is the first name on the teamsheet.

daveyg 6:59 Wed Apr 20
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

I think not having a right back for the majority of the season has seen him play to far on the left . Antonio has not been in his goal scoring manner either. This has affected our balance. Bilic needs to sort this right back position out. Byram has been fit for the last 2 games but has not been played. Has Bilic lost faith in him ?
Bilic has hard choices to make tonight. Can he play Sakho and Carroll together whilst still having a strong enough midfield ? Can he play four at the back or rivert back to a back 3 with Cresswell and Antonio out wide.
Payet needs to show not only Bilic that he has the desire but Deschamps will be looking hard to see if he can be effective at this late stage of the season.
Payet has said he has worked hard on his fitness these last 2 seasons. This is the time for him to show it. We all know he can deliver set pieces but can he serve up the complete performance like he did at Blackburn when he was unstoppable.

boltkunt 6:35 Wed Apr 20
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

First season in the prem, bound to start tiring at this later stage.

also he's allowed to have a drop in form, he's been terrific all season

Russ of the BML 6:31 Wed Apr 20
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Its a conversation to be had between Bilic and Payet. If Payet is a bit tired then it might be worthwhile starting him on the bench and seeing how the game goes. But, he had three months off and should be flying.

To be fair to him he has been so good he can't do it every game. Think he is due a stormer tonight though.

jimmyhammer 1:27 Wed Apr 20
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

You only have to look at the youtube video of his early season highlights to see that physically he he's not in the same shape now to what he was then.

Still undoubted HOTY and our best players for years.

Eggbert Nobacon 11:40 Wed Apr 20
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

unfortunatey we have 10 days off after tonight, hopefully a chance to refuel the batteries!

Northern Sold 11:39 Wed Apr 20
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

He is deffo not running the games like he was earlier in the season yet this is being over looked because of the magnificence of his set pieces/free kicks etc.... 1st season in the hurly burly of the prem and maybe it's just taking it's toll a little bit.

One McAvennieeeeee 11:36 Wed Apr 20
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Maybe you try to over analyzzzzzzzzze everything?

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