David Moyes was notably coy about whether Michail Antonio is fit enough to play two games in four days.
After his match winner against Burnley the No 30 looked to be heading back to his old self but Moyes seems to be keeping his options open on the Tuesday night game.
Talking post-match at the London Stadium after a 1-0 win, the manager warned Antonio is still coming back from injury adding the plan is to bring him along quite slowly.
Moyes says he will need to look at whether his striker will be ready to start on Tuesday against West Brom and will wait to see how he recoveres in the next couple of days.
The manager doesn’t expect him to play every minute in every game and will rest him whenever he can and he certainly looks set to be an absentee from the FA Cup fourth round against Doncaster Rovers..
Let’s hope that West Brom don’t expect to see him on Tuesday!
Exactly! A little smoke and mirrors from the boss I suspect!
He looked exhausted after 90 mins. Should have been substituted earlier. Can’t understand why on earth Benrahma was subb’ed so early as he was doing very well.
They all looked knackered. Fornals was lying on his back just after the whistle. Antonio doesn’t just attack, he is a huge defensive strength when needed.
WBA’s offence isn’t top notch, though Snoddy will make a difference. Expect Antonio to start on bench.
Overplaying Antonio against Burnely & taking off Benrhama when we was a constant threat changed the game from one Hammers were dominating to one where we were desperately hanging on illuminates Moyes inept tactically.
Fornals not good enough so move Benrhama onto his natural left side position & play Lanzini in n 10 Role.
Thought fornals was better than Benrahma, great assist and always looking to create. He did really well for me
I thought both Benrahma and Fornals played well. Didn’t think Lanzini offered as much when he came on as Benrahma.
Options open. As they should be. In Moyes we trust. We can’t be perfect all the time – but we seem to be moving that way.
COYI