Dimitri Payet has put his predction on the line – he believes the Irons will fnish and fifth place and enjoy a Europen campaign:

Speaking ahead of the Sunderland game when asked what was in store for the fans, he said: “Yes, fifth place and Europa League qualification. It’s up to us to win the points as we’ve been doing since the start of the season.

“We’re fighting with clubs like Manchester United and Southampton and it’s going to be tight until the end. We are working to finish as high as possible. West Ham has the means to achieve its ambitions.

“It was for this reason I had no problem in staying because I felt the club really wanted me to stay.”

Speaking to a newspaper in the Reunion Islands, where he was born, Payet added: “Now I’d really like to lift a trophy, start winning things, play in the big international competitions.

“We’re still in the FA Cup. It’s a big aim to go all the way. ­Otherwise, there’s nothing missing. I’m living a fairytale.

“I’m living an extraordinary year on the pitch and with the family. I have become a father of a third small boy since I arrived in London. I have everything. Everything is going well.

“I never get tired of it, of the fans singing my name. Home and away, I get helped by all the love the fans give to me. It is ­something extraordinary.

“They sing I’m better than ­Zinedine Zidane but that’s their point of view. But you don’t take on the boss.”

Slaven Bilic is very wary of former Iron Jermain Defoe said: “The most important player for them up front is Jermain Defoe. He’s still very sharp, still very quick.

“He was always a great finisher and is doing that again now.”