Leroy puts huge fee on Hammers star

We were magnificent against Manchester City and should have won. Without that pest Aguero we would have done.

But Saturday evening should have finally convinced the manager and the players that they are now a top six side and the confidence factor has set them up brilliantly for the rest of the season.

We have yet to be beaten by Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool or Chelsea – how long is it since we’ve been able to say such a thing.

Dimitri Payet was the man of the match but Cheik Kouyate had another powerhouse game in the middle of the park – he is an outstanding player and is everything that the very disappointing Yaya Toure was a few years back.

His runs and storming approach to the game had City at full stretch throughout and frankly I believe he is now a £40 million player.

There’s not a club in England or Europe who wouldn’t want the guy in his team. I love him and his approach to the game. He’s brilliant.

He can play in midfield, at the back and if he was asked to, would go and do a job at centre forward. It was a brilliant piece of work by the chairman to bring him in for £7 million.

I will discuss Payet and why I believe he is a Hammer for a good long time in a column later today.

This is the best West Ham squad for years and years and I think we can stop talking about joining the big clubs – we have arrived this season and there’s so much more to come.

If you feel I’m a bit OTT today fair enough. I don’t agree. This really is a great Hammers squad and the sky truly is the limit.