West Ham United’s 2016-17 Naughty or Nice list

NICE – Cheikhou Kouyate

Senegalese international Cheikhou Kouyate didn’t have the greatest of starts to his West Ham career, but he has certainly improved in recent weeks since becoming a part of the Hammers defence.

The 27-year-old struggled when in midfield at the start of the campaign, but since Bilic has implemented a back three, Kouyate has been an important part of it.

Back-to-back wins and back-to-back clean sheets, of which Kouyate was a part of both, will give Bilic greater confidence in his side’s ability to defend at the top level, and it’s likely that Kouyate will remain an important part of the Hammers defence as the season progresses.