Slaven Bilic has issued a bleak warning to the team: “We must improve and start picking up points.”

And he has told Dimitri Payet he should accept the criticism he is receiving from some fans as a compliment.

The manager  said: “We can see it’s all about a couple of points, but we need those points. Even if we had beat Stoke, we would be mid-table because it’s still so tight.”

And he told the squad: “We are 17th. You are very close to the relegation and you have to improve.

“You have to start winning games, which we did in October, but it’s not enough because the other teams are also getting some unexpected results that are getting them points.”

The boss also added that Payet could be seen in much the same light as Messi or Ronaldo of whom major things are expected whenever they walk onto a pitch.

He said: “If Messi or Ronaldo don’t score for two games, fans start criticising them. You think, ‘Why are they criticising me?’ but it’s a compliment.”