You simply will not find a glummer set of fans here in the Transfer Tavern than our West Ham lot at the moment.

You can understand why, too, as things simply just have not gone at all to plan this season.

The signings from the summer have been poor whilst the performances of the rest of the squad haven’t been up to much either.

The London Stadium has so far failed spectacularly to replace Upton Park whilst results on the pitch have been nowhere near that of 2015/16.

Then, when, things seemed like they couldn’t get worse it appears Dimitri Payet will be gone in only a matter of time.

It’s a sequence of events that would test even the most positive of supporter and our landlord reckons should Payet leave we could see other key stars leave too.

Who? We hear you ask – these two – according to our landlord…

Michail Antonio

Whilst Payet is the best player in the squad, this season Antonio has been the leading light.

Without a decent striker for most of the season West Ham have relied on Antonio’s goals to get them going and his sheer willingness to play anywhere on the pitch. He might feel, though, that he risks seeing his England career going up in smoke before it’s really begun if he sees West Ham let Payet go and could fancy a move himself.

Cheikhou Kouyate

Kouyate hasn’t had the best season in the world but he is still a very crucial player in terms of how West Ham work.

It’s small wonder that when he plays well the team usually does and so if they were to lose him for good they’d be in trouble. It could happen if Payet goes, though, as Kouyate must know he could be playing for a side challenging for Europe as West Ham were doing last season.

Thoughts, Hammers fans? Let us know below!