Former West Ham winger Matthew Etherington admits that the Hammers will miss Dimitri Payet’s presence on the pitch, but has backed others such as Manuel Lanzini to step up to compensate for the Frenchman’s loss.
Slaven Bilic received a hammer blow last week when it was revealed that Payet will be out of action for three months due to an ankle injury.
Since his arrival in the summer, the Frenchman has been instrumental in West Ham’s rise this season, and has been the main creative force from their midfield.
The Hammers are sixth in the Premier League table, but are approaching the busiest period of the season without their key playmaker and Etherington admits that they will feel the Frenchman’s loss in the coming weeks and months.
While he is confident that the Hammers have the depth in their squad to handle the scenario, he still believes Payet has made the difference for them this season.
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The former West Ham man wrote on the club’s official website: “The loss of Dimitri Payet is massive for the Hammers, so it will be interesting to see how we cope without him.
“That said, this is the best West Ham squad I have seen in a long, long time so there are players there who can come in do a very good job.
"Payet was the X factor in the team and has something a little bit special, but the squad has some very good players in it.”
Etherington also believes it is a great opportunity for others in the squad to step up and show their mettle and is especially impressed with Lanzini, who he believes is a fantastic talent.
“Manuel Lanzini has been superb this season and I’m sure he will step up to the plate. I’ve been really impressed with him. He looks a brilliant footballer and the goal he scored against Everton was top-drawer the way he caressed it into the top corner.
“It was a top, top goal.”
