Opinion from the stands

West Ham must work hard to secure this vital signing

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Dimitri Payet’s potential move to West Ham has gone very quiet

It’s not even July yet and I’ve already noticed the frustration from a number of fans on social media with regards to the potential transfer of Dimitri Payet from Marseille.

Now, while I think we all need to be a little more patient, I understand where those fans are coming from and it’s nothing to do with the fact that Europa League qualifying ties start in just over a week because we should breeze through those first two ties regardless.

The need for a more creative player from midfield and the wing is part of the bigger picture for a West Ham team that wants to take off the shackles from the Allardyce era and move forward as a bright attacking force. We all know that but if we get the wrong man it could spell trouble and it causes anxiety for us all.

That is why the signing of international class players such as Payet or Cabaye will be seen as the most crucial recruits of the summer.

At the moment our attacking midfield options are Downing, Amalfitano, Jarvis and Nolan. It’s hardly mouth-watering and although Downing and Amalfitano are very good players, we need someone with that extra bit of magic to help them out.

Our fans have been crying out for a classy, true West Ham style midfielder for too long now. That is why many of our support, including myself were devastated that it didn’t work out with Ravel Morrison.

There was a player with an incredible gift, who could get bums out of seats, with the effortless way he glided past defenders, wonderful passing ability, touch and finishing. Everything you wanted to see from a young midfield player but his case is a complicated story that has been covered to death now and still divides opinion.

We were desperate for Ravel to be given a role in the side because we hadn’t had that type of player since Yossi Benayoun, who left the club in 2007. Before him was Joe Cole and before that was Benayoun’s hero and compatriot Eyal Berkovic, back in the late 90’s.

All the West Ham sides that included those past players mentioned played the football that we enjoy seeing at The Boleyn Ground and that’s what we crave again.

I personally think we need two very creative players for our current squad to move forward. Payet is more of a winger, so a central midfielder who can create and score goals is also required. Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson is someone I would love the club to make a move for but the club will probably need to move on at least Matt Jarvis and maybe Nolan to make room, which may be difficult. Many regard Nolan’s leadership as still a big presence in the dressing room though.

If we don’t secure Payet, then I’m sure that Bilic and the clubs scouting network have other options that they can explore before the summer is out.

It’s crucial that they get the right players and don’t panic, which means that we might all have to be a little more patient for now.

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