Payet and the Price of Failure

I curse you to win 2-0......

With only one result in six games and four straight losses, the visit of Middlesborough to London stadium is just what the misfiring Hammers need. With a Premiership low averaging only 5 shots per game, it may just be possible for the chaotic West Ham defence to keep the Boro out. The key will be to stifle Alvaro 'the beast' Negredo who poses their biggest attacking threat. However, after just a single shot on target against Southampton last week, Payet et al will really need to up their performance if they are to get a much needed win.

Slaven Bilic has commented on Dimitri Payet's perspective upon the club's disastrous start to life at the new stadium by repackaging his being 'unhappy' as an example of the passion that is needed to get back to winning ways. However, it's hard not to feel that the Hammers lowly position and the general negativity around the club and it's supporters is likely to impact upon the midfield maestro's willingness to listen to the many suitors out there who would gladly splash considerable cash for his services.

While Bilic will be hoping to keep Payet on board through the January transfer window, the likelihood of him staying beyond this season if the Hammers don't make the Champions League seem slim. As such, Slaven's lads will need to start putting points on the board as soon as possible as we are already ten points of Arsenal in fourth spot and have not had the toughest start in terms of fixtures.

Let's give Stewart Downing a warm welcome - he was a big part of establishing us as a stable Premiership club when we first returned to the top flight. 

The bad news is that Mystic Mark has backed us to win 2-0.