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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?

gph 11:10 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

He looked knackered against Leicester.

If he agrees, give him half a match tomorrow.

If he doesn't, don't upset him.

Takashi Miike 11:11 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

have you started sniffing glue? you have a very short memory

zebthecat 11:12 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Yes

VirginiaHam 11:13 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

gph 11:10 Tue Apr 19

good sized break ahead......agree, he could probably do with a break though. The international break was no break for him.

gph 11:13 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Tried it, but this melted-down horse wood glue does nothing for me...

Takashi Miike 11:15 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

haha, not you gph, the OP

1985 11:20 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Takashi.

On what basis would you start Payet in every match, regardless of his form and how the team are doing defensively?

Because he can produce that one moment of magic and that justifies it?

Romfordboy 11:21 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Are you a mentalist?

:^) 11:34 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Adrian is always first name on the list, as goalkeeper always starts at the top.

Hope that helps.

Vexed 11:37 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Didn't need to read it all to come to the conclusion that the OP is on the Alex V autism scal and should be ignored.

Fucking tool.

Takashi Miike 11:38 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

1985, I agree he does look a bit tired. against Man Utd I put it down to having his foot stamped on in the first couple of minutes but he was very quiet against Leicester. with only five games to go I wouldn't rest or drop him though as we're so close to Europe, it's not the time to drop your best players. Antonio playing in defence has taken a lot away from our forward play but also defensively as he did so much tracking back before Slaven tried him at right back, without him it's put more pressure on Payet and Lanzini to pick up runners. we clearly now have defenders available so I hope Slaven picks a proper defence and lets Antonio to do what he does best, and that should (hopefully) free up Payet and Lanzini

1985 11:41 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

:^) 11:34 Tue Apr 19

No it doesn't really. Randolph is as capable as Adrian, but that's another thread.

1985 11:44 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Takashi.I agree with that. But if Slav persists with Antonio at RB, would you then persist with Payet? As you say, few games to go. Maybe we should try something different.

1985 11:49 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Vexed 11:37 Tue Apr 19

I bet you were one of those posters who said Di Canio should never have been dropped for a game? Hmm, makes sense.

Takashi Miike 11:49 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

it's difficult as Payet & Lanzini are at their best when they're free to roam and not stuck to a rigid position. ideally we would be playing a system that would allow them to do that, 3-4-2-1 could do that with three centre backs and Antonio & Cresswell as the wide two of the 4. you could then have two holding players and Payet and Lanzini as the advanced two. obviously that system won't be tried now or probably ever but that's one that I think could work given enough preparation and training, and one that would suit our personnel

Sniper 11:59 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Man city have spent hundreds of millions yet look lost without aguero and devoid of ideas without de bruyne. Every team has automatic selections. You don't drop your best player unless he's woefully out of form or shattered.

Almost every team has some form of attacking flair that others have to carry a bit. I think the comments to Henry were taken out of context slightly or badly translated - I would guess he means more that there's water carriers in his team that enable him to stay in more dangerous positions. I wouldn't necessarily want him constantly tracking back to our box as when we win the ball, we look to get it up to him.

What I would say is that he seemed to make more if an all round effort earlier in the season (see Liverpool away) than he does now, but I wonder if that's more Slavs orders. My most worrying moment with payet is not to do with defensive duties, but the horrible moment in the cup replay when Antonio looked to square the ball to him and he out his hand up to say no - usually he always wants the ball, and doing that meant Antonio was closed down, panicked and his blocked ball down the line head to their goal.

I hope the ten day break refreshes all the players for one last push as all our games are very winnable

Grumpster 11:59 Tue Apr 19
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

He's been useless which is why he's been nominated as a potential winner of the pfa player of the year!

That nomination is all you need to know about whether or not he should always start.

Spandex Sidney 12:02 Wed Apr 20
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

No, Adrian is. Team sheet is done from goalkeeper forwards.

Yes, I am autistic.

ATBOG 12:11 Wed Apr 20
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

No way. He’s had a couple of not so good games but he’ll want every opportunity to play himself into form for the Euro’s and will no doubt step his game up. He’s definitely one of the best players in Europe right now and is mature enough to know that he will need to step it up as required.

Pagey 12:22 Wed Apr 20
Re: Payet, is he really one of the first names on the team sheet?

Payet is our star man and rightly so. He's been brilliant for us, had a stunning first season and will absolutely piss the Hammer of the Year award.

The trouble is that the expectation from him now is through the roof and he can't do what he's capable of doing in every single game.

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