West Ham United coaching assistant Julian Dicks has stressed the importance of having our key players back in first-team contention as the Club look to move clear of the bottom three.
Dicks is working hard with the rest of the coaching staff and manager Slaven Bilic to help turn the Club's fortunes around following a frustrating start to the campaign.
Dimitri Payet's wonder goal against Middlesbrough in the last game helped salvage a point and the team are now hoping to get back on the winning trail when they face Crystal Palace on 15 October.
The Club have received a major lift in the build-up to the game with Aaron Cresswell making his first appearance since suffering knee ligament damage during the pre-season trip to Austria.
Dicks believes his return will boost everyone in the squad and says it is crucial that the big name players are back in first-team contention.
Dicks said: “Aaron is a fantastic player and we have missed him. Arthur did very well when he came into the team and then got injured.
“Aaron has been missed as well and it was great to see him get 50 minutes under his belt in a training ground match.
“Hopefully he will have no reaction and be in contention for the game against Crystal Palace.
“It helps having your big players back in the team. We have missed Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew and you need them when things are not going well. They can turn a poor game into a good game with a bit of brilliance.”
Dicks has no doubts there is enough quality in the squad to see them move clear of the danger zone and believes the players can play a big role in helping to make London Stadium one of the best atmospheres in the country.
Dicks added: “All we have ever asked from the players is for them to go out and give 100 per cent in every game. It has not changed since I was playing.
“We all know what West Ham are about – we have ups and downs. We had a great season last year and it was going to be hard to do the same.
“We know we have not worked hard enough but the boys gave everything in the first half against Middlesbrough. It faded in the second half but we have to settle for a 1-1 draw and we have to take that.
“You don't want to keep losing games because it does affect your confidence. Obviously the fans get frustrated as well so it is important we got a point.
“This has been a big transition and the new Stadium is impressive. Teams want to play there because it is such a fantastic stadium and we have to stop them doing that.
“I am sure we will see a much better atmosphere when we start winning games and it was the same at Upton Park.
“The new Stadium is a massive ground and it is down to the players to help change that. They need to give the crowd something to cheer about – whether it be a goal or a good tackle, they will get behind you.
“We have some good individual players but you cannot always rely on the likes of Dimi and Manu to get you the goals. We need to work collectively as a team together. That is the players, management and the fans. We all need to stick together.”