Michail Antonio has once again spoken out of turn but this time David Moyes must listen to save West Ham’s season.
Turning 34 in March and having risen from non-league to the Premier League before being called up for both England and Jamaica, West Ham striker Michail Antonio is a certified veteran.
But sometimes you wouldn’t know it from some of the ill-judged comments the Hammers forward makes on a regular basis on his podcasts.
Antonio is of course perfectly entitled to his opinion. And football fans don’t want all of the game’s protagonists to behave like robots. After all football on the pitch has become robotic enough in a world full of Pep Guardiola disciples.
But when West Ham’s striker makes somewhat controversial statements – as he often does – he must back them up.
Antonio speaks out of turn again but this time Moyes must listen
West Ham fans don’t need to see a list of Antonio’s questionable statements on podcasts from recent seasons.
Whether he is declaring that he can compete with the likes of Harry Kane for the golden boot, claiming he would score the same number of goals as Erling Haaland if he played for Man City, opening a can of worms discussing David Moyes’ West Ham tactics, criticising other strikers or stating he will score against Liverpool and that the Hammers will finish above them, the list is long.
He’s currently out with a knee injury sustained on international duty but has appeared on the latest episode of The Footballer’s Football Podcast.
Antonio has once again spoken out of turn but this time Moyes must listen to save West Ham’s season.
Striker tells boss what fans have been saying for weeks
Jarrod Bowen has been operating as West Ham’s main striker of late – even before Antonio’s injury – with mixed results.
Many West Ham fans feel Bowen is more effective in his usual right wing role.
Especially – as the Hammers did for much of the game against Palace – the team are hitting long balls up to the diminutive attacker.
Former West Ham star Jimmy Walker told Moyes Bowen is wasted as a striker after the draw with Palace at the weekend.
Now Antonio has spoken about Bowen playing as a striker. And while his comments will probably go down like a lead balloon with Moyes, the manager must take heed of what he has said to get West Ham firing.
‘Bowen doesn’t enjoy striker role and is more effective out wide’
Because Antonio has said that while Bowen has all the attributes to be a striker – and will probably end up there – he simply doesn’t enjoy it at the moment and is more effective out wide.
“Honestly, I think he’s got the ability to do it (play as a striker),” Antonio said.
“I think he’s got the qualities of a striker. He’s strong, he’s good on the ball, can come in deep, collect it. Another thing you said, he scores goals...
“I do feel like he could become a striker. I don’t think he enjoys it right now. He doesn’t get as much of the ball as he did out wide. And when you’re playing centre forward, you’ve got two centre halves constantly at your back. Whereas when you’re on the wide, you can drift into places and be unseen.”
Moyes probably doesn’t tune into Antonio’s podcasts. But here’s hoping someone puts these comments under the Scot’s nose – because he needs to take them on board and move Bowen back to the right.
And here’s a novel idea – sign a proper striker in January and play him up front.
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