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Are these the three reasons why West Ham don’t miss this player?

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Stewart Downing West Ham West Brom

Attacking midfielder, come winger, come striker, come right-back, come probably goalkeeper in waiting, and all round superstar Michail Antonio again proved to be match winner.

Alongside Dimitri Payet, who provided the assist against Tottenham, and the returning Manuel Lanzini, West Ham have a wealth of attacking talent to make a serious challenge at the top end of the table.

There were some eyebrows raised when one of the catalysts of last season’s early success, Stewart Downing, was sold to Middlesborough.

With new manager Slaven Bilic talking about playing open and expansive football, Downing was seen as the one player in the squad who could deliver. The then 30-year-old was a revelation in the centre of midfield and many wondered what direction the squad would go following his departure.

Few however, could have imagined, or hoped for, such a radical transformation. Nor could they have expected three new players to the Premier League to find such exceptional and consistent form so quickly.

With Payet, Lanzini, and Antonio in the squad, there is a trio who individually and collectively can prove to be match winners.

They complement each other perfectly, and help bring the best out of one another on the field.

Selection choices and injuries have limited the match time all three have spent on the pitch together, but there’s little doubt now they have the ability to propel West Ham to the next level.

Lanzini’s presence on the pitch affords more time to Payet, as opposition teams struggle to contain two fabulous flair players.

And alongside their intricate play is the shear energy and bullishness of Antonio, who creates chances with his tireless running and desire to get on the end of any scraps.

The diversity of their play provides so much for other teams to think about. It makes it hard for them to settle into a pattern, and they seem to struggle to find ways to stifle the attacking threats.

The more the three can play together, the more the team has a dynamic, multifaceted attack. The fact they are so comfortable across every area of the pitch reflects through the team, and provides a level of confidence that the squad can build on into the future.

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A lifelong West Ham supporter, Kevin is a journalist and editor from Essex now based in Sydney. Defying the time difference, he watches every game, and keeps a close eye on everything happening with The Hammers.