Harry Redknapp did not take too kindly to seeing Dimitri Payet criticised in the wake of West Ham United’s early season slump.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
Slaven Bilic‘s side have endured a terrible start to the taking just four points from 21 in the seven games so far.
How different things might have panned out, though, had the Hammers held on to their 2-0 lead at home to Watford in the second ever Premier League game at the London Stadium.
They ended up losing 4-2, though, and went on to lose their next two matches to West Brom by the same scoreline and then Southampton 3-0 before a draw with Middlesbrough last time out.
West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet
Hammers hero Dimitri Payet stole the show in a swashbuckling first half against Watford with an amazing rabona cross which picked out Michail Antonio at the far post to score.
Payet’s stunning last minute free-kick rescued Bilic’s side as they toiled against League Two side Accrington Stanley in the League Cup and it was a moment of magic from the Frenchman which lit up the draw with Boro last time out in what is surely a goal of the season contender.
But in some quarters the Euro 2016 star has come in for criticism from the likes of Watford striker Troy Deeney for showboating while a section of West Ham fans have also questioned his performance levels this season.
Harry Redknapp
Now Harry Redknapp, who spent 18 years with the Hammers as a player, assistant manager and manager, has slapped down Payet’s critics on talkSPORT.
“It (the goal vs Boro) was needed at that time, West Ham were one down and struggling, I’m looking at Slaven on the bench and he’s obviously thinking ‘Oh my god what can we do’ and suddenly the little fella’ comes up with that, pure genius, fantastic to watch,” Redknapp said on talkSPORT.
West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet celebrates with skipper Mark Noble
“And the other week, the bit of skill he showed the other week (the rabona assist for Michail Antonio against Watford) – and I saw people criticising it – that was incredible.
“He’s hit that pass 30 yards into somebody coming in at the back post to head it in the goal. I mean that was an amazing piece of skill, you ask them people who go to watch West Ham every week if they enjoyed that, they would have loved it and I loved it when I saw it, I thought ‘What a little genius’.”
Hammers fans will be hoping to see more of that genius when they take on London rivals Crystal Palace next weekend.
Payet was the star of the show at Selhurst Park last season helping the Hammers to an emphatic 3-1 win.
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