West Ham’s flagging star Michail Antonio faces another 11k mile round trip and three games in six days after Jamaica call-up.
As the winter break kicks in David Moyes noted how crucial it is for his West Ham players to get a well earned rest.
The only problem is the one who perhaps needs a rest more than any other – Michail Antonio – is now set for another 11k mile round trip to play three games in six days for Jamaica.
It is clear for all to see that West Ham must sign another striker. Antonio has been struggling for any kind of form or consistency since October.
With Moyes making no guarantees he will be able to bring another forward in before the January window shuts, West Ham could be left relying on Antonio for the rest of the season.
In the aftermath of that sickening defeat to Man United at the weekend, many had perhaps forgotten the extra international break that has been squeezed into the schedule.
West Ham’s flagging star Michail Antonio faces another 11k mile round trip and three games in six days after Jamaica call
With World Cup qualifiers to catch up on, the Reggae Boyz have called Antonio up for three matches against Mexico at home, away to Panama and then back to Jamaica to face Costa Rica in six days between January 27th and February 2nd.
Hammers fans will be exasperated at the news. Moyes says he takes great pleasure seeing his players called up to represent their countries.
But privately he too will surely be questioning how sensible this is given Antonio’s injury record and the fact Jamaica have little to no chance of qualifying.
It is doubtful Antonio would be able or allowed to play three games in six days for West Ham.
So the club will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on whether his national team try to get away with it.
The player himself must also take some responsibility and – especially having signed a new and improved contract recently – think about his duty to West Ham too.
Antonio has been amazing for West Ham since being converted to a striker by Moyes.
But he simply has not been the same player over the last few months. Many feel it is down to tiredness, others believe he has been found out.
He clearly could have done with a rest. Instead he will be flying back to England on February 3rd after three games in six days with less than two days until West Ham kick off at Kidderminster Harriers in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
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