West Ham really need Manuel Lanzini to rediscover his best form sooner rather than later as they look to climb the league table.
David Moyes' men are only above the drop zone on goal difference at present and they must start getting points on the board with Watford now in good form.
Lanzini played 69 minutes in Wednesday's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool and some supporters ironically cheered his substitution as he was far from his best against the runaway league leaders.
The reaction certainly won't have helped his low confidence and captain Mark Noble has opened up on the player's recent struggles.
Hoping he returns to his best in the coming weeks given the team need him now more than ever, the midfielder has named the two Premier League players that Lanzini will hopefully be able to replicate.
"While Tomas (Soucek) and Jez (Ngakia) are at the start of their West Ham careers, Manu Lanzini is a player who has been here for nearly five years now and he has had some magical moments in Claret and Blue," he said in his column in the club's matchday programme.
"Manu's had two or three serious injuries, though, and he's trying to find his feet in a team that's struggling. When you're trying to rediscover your best form, sometimes you need a bit of backing.
"Manu needs to be a Jack Grealish or James Maddison for us, getting on the ball and creating stuff for us. His confidence is low at the moment, but I and all the lads love him to bits and he just needs a little break.
"I'm hoping that happens this afternoon as we are going to need him."
