Michail Antonio may be the focus of attention for some of the big-spending Premier League clubs, who are said to have an eye on a potential summer move for the in-form attacker.
But the Hammers star has a single-minded attitude to his football, seemingly; he is setting his sights on scoring for the cause in the top flight trip to AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.
Antonio is doubly desperate to make an impact in the game against Eddie Howe’s men given that he was sidelined for suspension for the 2-1 defeat against Premier League leaders Chelsea at the London Stadium on Monday night.
The forward served a suspension for Slaven Bilic’s men’s clash against the Blues which he picked up for his sending off at Watford, where his side earned a 1-1 draw.
But after a break from action, he is chomping at the bit and raring to go and admits that he find watching on from the stands to be a frustrating process; rather he would be on the pitch and trying his best to influence proceedings.
He said: “I hate having to watch and didn’t really know what to do with myself when I was watching the game. You always want to play your part, but I wasn’t able to. Hopefully we can turn it around on Saturday.”
Antonio says that coming up against the Cherries augurs well if you believe in fate; for he scored against the south coast outfit when the two teams met earlier in the season. His goal that day has gone down in the history books for being the first goal at London Stadium.
He added: “Hopefully I can get another one down there. We’ve been on a good run away from home, and Monday’s game won’t knock us back in any way. We’ll we raring to go.”
Antonio reckons the Hammers started off well against Chelsea and the statistics back up that belief and the home side enjoyed more of the possession. Indeed, up until the breakaway that led to Antonio Conte’s men taking the lead it could be argued that West Ham were running the show.
But, says Antonio, there is no disgrace in losing to the team he feels will walk off with the silverware come the conclusion of the campaign.
He said: “I think we lost to the champions. They are a good team – a good attacking team – and that’s why they’re clear by a few points at the top of the table.”