It’s probably time for us, as a collective group, to all sit back for a moment.
We all need a few moments to ponder what we are witnessing.
As an attending fan of 35 years, my default position is cynicism, glass half empty and worst case scenario mentality. I’ve seen more relegation battles than is appropriate for a man of my age. I’ve invaded the pitch during the Bond Scheme. I’ve wept as best players are sold and inferior replacements are bought.
But every now and then, on the pitch, something happens at West Ham, with a player so incredulously gifted, the country turns their head and wonders “how”?
80’s- McAvennie, 90’s – Di Canio…..the path then became overgrown with a myriad of weeds and generic country land fodder.
We delude ourselves into thinking the next Academy breakthrough will “be the one”. Yet since 2000 there have been no players to empty bars, no players to strike fear into the opposition, no players other fans look at enviously.
Enter Dimitri Payet.
I confess I’d never heard of the chap. My interest in European football dwindled when Gazza left Lazio (yes that long). I care little for Champions League. It’s like watching quality porn. Looks lovely, but you know you’ll never get there.
Once signed, the stats were rolled out. Set up more chances Messi and Harry Potter combined last season, 28, French international (isn’t everyone?). A fair bit of money was cast across the channel, so a level of expectation naturally attached itself to him, but again, we’d been here before – Savio?
In addition I noted some sparkling wine chap – Lambrini – had also been signed. There’s one for the loan system and a brief cup appearance I thought (the “old” me doesn’t forget).
So the pre-season began. I got a last minute ticket for Southend with a friend. I strolled along. In the Southend end. Expectations middling to fair. I like Bilic, squad was decent. I won’t dwell on the game as a “that was the moment I knew” moment, but without doubt when he ran on the pitch I thought “Trevor Sinclair’s arse”. That wasn’t a bad thing in my book. Need meat on you in the Premier League to hit the ground running (pun intended). One could see straight away he was a class apart, but this was Southend. His free kick was beautifully taken – but this was Southend. I was happy, but, this was Southend.
The season started and the Arsenal game began. But Payet continued playing like he did at Southend. But this was Arsenal? Hold on. …
I knew then we had a decent player. I think we all did. What I’ve not expected is this surge and continuation and acceleration of form. The touch, the awareness, the confidence.
He’s like Tevez, Benayoun and Di Canio all rolled into one. But the added bonus is he has a wonderful temperament, he’s built like a bull and he understands the fans already.
Jesus Christ people this is some player. He could be THE player.
But the part that tops it all off for me? He’s 28. Take 5 years off him and Real Madrid would have him by September. Put 3 years on him and he’s on the downward spiral. We signed him to a 5 year deal, therefore we either enjoy his peak years, or we slap £40m on him and let silly boys fight and bring in 2/3 excellent replacements. Sounds horrible, but see above (worst case scenario mentality).
I’ll go so far to say I don’t think there’s a better player in the Premier League than him right now. I won’t say Europe as there’s a certain few Barcelona players that do this week in week out. He’s a phenomenon for us though.
Watching the game last night, credit has to go to Bilic. We were fab for the first 10. Carroll’s injury really shook us (but didn’t shock us) and it was evident. We retreated, the midfield lost runners and they could have had 2 or 3. However, all the while the threat we carried was Payet. Direct running, looking left and right, slide rule passes, shooting. Credit here to Antonio too, I thought he had an excellent game. He gave Payet options all night.
That said we were generally poor 1st half.
Step up Mr B. Whatever was said there (and I like to think it was stern) from the 46th minute the entire team steam rollered Bournemouth.
Payet may as well have held a baton in his hand such was his orchestrative influence on the game. 2 players were attracted to him every time he had the ball. Scary thing is, Payet enjoys this and his technical skill level is so vast, allied to his quick burst over 5 yards (Gazza anyone?) it allows him to wriggle out of the tightest gap and scatter well organised defences. They run backwards, he runs forward, head up, scalpel in hand, looking to make the next incision. It’s orgasmic to watch.
The free kick speaks for itself. So technically adept is he that I now EXPECT him to hit the target! It was after this that impressed me more. The OLD West Ham would have retreated; made sure they kept it tight. Not with this team. Payet drives them on. His skill for the 2nd goal is a joy. No room, he takes on 2 players and then delivers a ball of such quality and pace that Enner literally had to angle his foot the right way and it HAD to go in.
Enners 2nd was a worldy too. We know how he hits the ball. Fortunately, opposition keepers do too but have no way of knowing how to stop it. If Ronaldo had scored that we’d have seen it 3,000 times on Sky already this morning. Such is life.
Mr B had seen enough. The cotton wool was taken from them bench and rolled out, he signalled to the maestro and told him to protect that baton. The applause as he went off said it all. The song is now ingrained in folklore (whoever thought of those lyrics is a genius). And he acknowledges it. He knows he is now at a club that worships him. If he likes London, then he can be king for 4 years
The King is dead.
Long live King Payet.
Heady times ladies and gentlemen. We now need to seriously consider Champions League football. This is a team without Sakho, Moses and Lanzini (and a fit and firing Song) and Kouyate and Reid…..? All of these players walk into ¾ of other Premier League teams. That’s a scary thought.
Credit to the Sullivan’s and Mr B. They’ve built something pretty special.
But the best thing about it?
We’ve got Payet.
