West Ham supporters at the Football Transfer Tavern have had a few weeks to forget…
West Ham have been playing quite poorly over the last few weeks, and as a result it is easy for the Hammers to presume that everything is just going to go downhill and that there isn’t much hope for the future – but they have to remember that they have some brilliant players in their squad.
They have managed to retain the stars of the team that helped them get into the Europa League last season and have added some quality players into the mix too.
There is definitely reason for optimism, despite recent performances and stadium teething problems – and a lot of that is down to certain individuals in the squad that will be the difference makers this year.
With that said, here are 3 West Ham stars who’re worth their weight in gold – Agreed?
Dimitri Payet
When West Ham signed Dimitri Payet a lot of people thought that he could be a good signing – but nobody expected the pure brilliance that he produced.
In the summer he was one of France’s main men, and somehow the Hammers managed to hold on to their star man.
Now they will be looking to build the team around him, as he has quickly become a player that is indispensable for them -which showed in the period that he was out injured last season.
Mark Noble
There aren’t many one club men left in football, but Mark Noble is one of them.
His loyalty to the club is paramount and he is now West Ham’s captain and one of the key men in their midfield.
His combative style and leadership are vital in a team that has a lot of attacking flair players and having a player like Noble in the side makes it easier for newcomers to know what playing for West Ham is all about.
Supporters sometimes get annoyed by him, but it has to be realised that a player like him is worth their weight in gold and that he can hold the whole midfield together – which showed most when it completely feel apart in the home tie against Astra Giurgiu when he was absent.
Michail Antonio
A lot of wingers in the present day are happy to run up and down the pitch all day putting in the occasional cross. Not Michail Antonio.
He has already scored five goals this season and has played brilliantly.
He is good both going back and forward and the fact that he is able to run with such power when he has the ball at his feet makes him a lethal weapon, which Slaven Bilic has released since putting him back in his favoured role on the wing.
Having a winger with his goal threat really does help to take the pressure off of the strikers when they aren’t firing in the goals.
