No Payet, No Problems: Frenchman’s Departure Helps Hammers Focus on Form. Dimitri Payet was a revelation for West Ham United but that ship has now sailed
Last season, Dimitri Payet was a revelation for West Ham United but that ship has now sailed. In many ways, the Frenchman got far too big for his boots and Slaven Bilic’s men are better off without his bad attitude stinking up the dressing room. In fact, West Ham’s form since the whole Payet saga started proved that they won’t miss him whilst he is earning big money in the south of France.
West Ham United Vs Manchester City” (CC BY 2.0) by joshjdss
The Hammers have won three of their last four Premier League games; scoring three goals in all three of their victories. West Ham have always been a club to focus on the collective but it was hard to do that last season; Payet was just outstanding.
However, Bilic acted quickly and effectively in the January transfer window to acquire centre-back Jose Fonte and winger Robert Snodgrass from top flight rivals Southampton and Hull City.
It took a little while for West Ham to adjust to life at London Stadium after a century at Upton Park but recent results indicate that Bilic’s men appear to be finding their feet at their new home.
Three wins in five home games have helped to boost the mood on the terraces and Hammers fans, who pay £498 a season for tickets and travel to home games according to a recent Voucherbox study, are beginning to come to terms with the move.
David Gold hopes West Ham can increase the London Stadium capacity to 66,000 before the end of 2017. pic.twitter.com/Mc42f5UaKR
— West Ham News (@WHUFC_News) February 6, 2017
Bilic has been quick to praise his new signings but the Croatian also credited the vast majority of his squad for the way that they handled the Payet situation with such professionalism.
Now, the Hammers are looking up and fans will be expecting Bilic’s men to push on and climb the table in the coming months. It is certainly a much happier time to be a West Ham fan than it was four or five weeks ago…
West Ham are currently ninth in the table but a favourable run of fixtures in the coming month could see the Hammers close the gap to seventh-placed Everton.
After their slow start to the campaign, a top half finish would probably suffice but Bilic’s men are in buoyant mood and it would be fair to state that the Hammers are now focused on climbing the division rather than worrying about the relegation battle below.
With clashes against Watford, Bournemouth and Leicester City approaching, West Ham could secure their Premier League status by the end of next month and Bilic deserves credit for his man management skills.
Payet’s off field antics threatened to disrupt West Ham’s rhythm and momentum but the Croatian dealt with him in an exceptional manner – and he is Marseille’s problem now.
It will take a while for Hammers fans to fully settle in their new home and that is understandable. As previously mentioned, West Ham have always focused on the collective and building a solid rapport in the first team and they should see a boost in team spirit both on the training ground and during games.
No Payet? No problem. Bilic’s West Ham are on back on the rise.
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