Antonio applauds the real Hammers hero

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Let’s be straightforward about it – Manuel Pellegrini is the real West Ham hero this season and it’s likely to remain that way for some considerable time.

It’s the Chilean manager who has managed to ensure what may have been seen as a real issue with Marko Arnautovic received a surprisingly muted response.

Such is the growing faith in the man that most seem quietly confident that should Mark leave the manager will find someone quickly who can fill the gap more than adequately.

But there’s more to him that and his regular ‘mantra’ that West Ham is a big team is something us fans are staying to get used to and really enjoy.

Now Michail Antonio has explained what it means to the players and how it is bringing a response most could only have dreamed of in previous times.

Antonio himself is progressing right back to his best and thoughts of a winter move, once so prevalent with Palace regularly mentioned are now completely forgotten.

And speaking on on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club he said: “Things are flying to be honest, we got some great results in December and a massive one at the weekend.

“I’ve been saying this in every interview that I’ve done this year and the mindset he’s given us is unbelievable. Every training session he comes in and says ‘think we are a big team. Perform like we are a big team and go out there and believe you are a big team’. 

“That’s all he says to us because he believes West Ham is a big club and he believes in the players he has to go out there and get three points

“He says that against Man City, he says that against Liverpool. We’re not going out there to get a draw against Man City or Liverpool, we’re going out there to get three points. Every game is for three points.”