It’s been a difficult month for the club given the Dimitri Payet saga, but back-to-back wins have displayed a strong togetherness within the squad and illustrates that they’re committed to the cause.
Many people questioned how West Ham would play without Payet but the man who lived in his shadow for 18 months, Manuel Lanzini, has seemed to take the reins as the team’s primary creative influence and the Hammers have not missed a step yet.
During the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace, Lanzini played in Payet’s familiar left-wing role, a position which isn’t the Argentine’s preference, but he made the transition seamlessly. He was immense out there. He used his pace, control and agility to his advantage many times to beat James Tomkins who was again shafted out at right-back (ironic, seeing as he left the club because he was forced to play there). Lanzini also, however, more impressively found little pockets of space infield, from there he had time to turn, get his head up and orchestrate an attack.
Lanzini may not be as good as Payet technically speaking, but he’s still a young talent; the 23-year-old looked very comfortable on the ball and rather impressively he did his defensive duties superbly. He got his body in front of the attacking players, won free kicks and released any pressure from the West Ham defence.
He also once again showed us his composure whilst through on goal. After a great defensive header from Winston Reid and a lovely through ball, Lanzini ran with the ball from the halfway line and when faced by Wayne Hennessey he looped the ball over his head as cool as you like.
Many rumours have been going around about who Bilic should try and sign to replace Payet, but in the little jewel, the Hammers might have their heir-apparent already in the building.
