It has not been the start to the new era at the London Stadium that Slaven Bilic and West Ham fans were hoping for.

The Hammers have won just three of their opening 12 Premier League games, and find themselves just a point and a place above the relegation zone.

Bilic’s side have struggled to score goals this season, and defensively were very poor before the Croat switched to a back three against Crystal Palace back in October.

Since then, his side have won two and drawn one of their five games, and have looked a lot more solid and have also carried a greater attacking threat.

Nevertheless, they are still relying on the goals of Michail Antonio, Manuel Lanzini, and Dimitri Payet to get them through, as none of their strikers have found the net so far this season.

It’s something Bilic will have to address in January if West Ham are to avoid a relegation battle come May, but there are also other areas that need reinforcing in the New Year.

Thus, here is the dream West Ham midfield including one key January target…

LWB – Aaron Cresswell

Aaron Cresswell highlighted in their 1-0 win at Crystal Palace how much they missed him due to injury prior to that game on October 15.

The England international was ruled out of the first two months due to a cruciate ligament injury, yet returned earlier than expected in the win at Palace.

And West Ham fans will be delighted that he’s back as he has seamlessly taken to the left wing-back role implemented by Bilic.

Cresswell rightly earned a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad earlier this month, making his debut as a substitute against Spain, and more impressive displays for the Hammers could see him seriously challenging Danny Rose and co for the first-choice left-back berth.

CM – Manuel Lanzini

Argentine midfielder Manuel Lanzini has improved drastically over the last few weeks, and is now a regular feature in Bilic’s starting eleven.

The 27-year-old made the move to East London last year and went on to net seven times in 23 starts for the club in their excellent seventh place finish, but never really nailed down a place in the midfield.

However, a fine winning goal against Palace and a penalty against Spurs last week suggests that Lanzini is confident and enjoying his football at West Ham, and he’ll be a crucial member of the side for the remainder of the campaign.

CM – Cesc Fabregas

Several of West Ham’s creative woes would be solved by bringing Cesc Fabregas to the London Stadium in January.

The Spanish international is clearly unfancied by Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, and has been restricted to just one Premier League start this season, and that lasted just 55 minutes away at Arsenal.

Nonetheless, Fabregas inspired the Blues to victory over Leicester in the League Cup back in September to remind us all that he’s still the same player who laid on 18 assists in Chelsea’s title-winning campaign in 2014/15.

He’s been linked with a move to several European clubs, and it’d be a huge scalp if Bilic could bring him to East London as he would certainly strengthen the Hammers starting line-up.

RWB – Michail Antonio

West Ham’s top goal-scorer this season and called up to Gareth Southgate’s first England squad, Michail Antonio has had a decent couple of months.

The 26-year-old moved to East London last year after an excellent spell with Championship side Nottingham Forest, and he adapted to the top-flight effortlessly with nine goals in his first season.

However, he has taken it up a notch this time around, and has already netted six times for the club, including the winning goal in their 1-0 win over Bournemouth back in September.

Antonio is a ready-made wing-back, as he is defensively very strong and also likes getting wide and putting crosses into the box.

His energy and work rate is excellent, and he’s sure to be a regular feature in the West Ham team this season.