The Hammers’ showing on Saturday against Everton was far from perfect. If I remember correctly, we didn’t register a shot on target until almost half time – so ‘chances’ were few and far between. Everyone has their own opinions as to the reasons behind this: I won’t repeat myself endlessly about my own thoughts on the Hammers’ midfield being the problem.
One report that did cause me raised eyebrows today was the ‘footballfancast.com’ article entitled ‘West Ham Must Drop Michail Antonio After Another Poor Performance’.
And replace him with whom, exactly? The hammers’ striker issues are well documented. The reliance upon Antonio and Ings with Fullkrug injured is not a situation we should ever have chosen. Yet here we are. To suggest that our only ‘target man’ who can play with his back to goal should be dropped now in favour of Danny Ings or Mohammed Kudus ignores the fact that Antonio is the ‘least worst’ option right now, in this position, in this squad set – up.
Antonio’s limits are well documented and his stats on Saturday were poor. But if he gets no service, he’ll not score.
Ings never works as a lone striker. We found that out in the Moyes era. Kudus as a number 10 – fine, perfect with a winger each side – but as a lone striker?
Please, Kudus out of position on the left wing has been frustrating enough for the young man: Let’s get back to our strengths and using each team member in their chosen, best position. So, until Fullkrug recovers or a younger variant appears in January, veteran Antonio at ‘9’ is West Ham’s only option for the starting XI.
Bowen up top with Kudus right. Somerville keeps LW no debate. MicK for the last 20
Thank goodness footballfancast.com don’t run the club.
Axe Antonio!!!!?????
He isn’t at his best and personally I would try starting with Ings or Guilherme and use Antonio as a 60′ sub…he seems to have more fire in his belly in that role…but AXE HIM????
What nonsense.
Best solution is to play Bowen up front, which would mean Kudus can play (when back from suspension) in his favoured wide right position and Summerville can stay wide left … and Antonio can come for a blast in the last 25 mins.
Come on mate,Antonio is a massive part of everything that is wrong at this club.
He should have been binned of 3 seasons ago at least buy the fact we are still relying on him as our number 1 go to striker regardless of injuries to other players is an absolute joke.
We have been let down massively by the previous Manager,this Manager and Tim Stighten when it comes to getting a proper forward in.
I put Moyes in the mix there as does anyone know a forward called Gyokeres ?? Scoring a few goals aint he and ripped City apart the other night in the Champions league but according to Moyes is wasn’t good enough 😂😂 would of cost peanuts as well in todays market…..
Joke club,still run like a Circus always will be till Sullivans gone.
He (Antonio) spends more time on the wings, which I find very annoying, instead of being THE central figure
Also Ings can at least control the ball and he links up with the midfield which he did against Everton & got shots off when he could
Whenever Antonio gets the ball, he cannot control it with his first touch, he never has done and never will
You say if he gets no service he won’t score. Well explain to me how you can score from the wing?
Mo Salah seems to do ok!
I wish we had as many shots in a game as news articles that you post in a day 🤣🤣🤣
With much respect, Matt, I wish you were Sebastien Hoeness’s agent because you’ve been on his case for taking over as West Ham manager endlessly. And you did supply a link which made a very good sales pitch. I’m just wondering, have you any evidence that he would be interested in coming to London Stadium if given the chance?
I just want Tim to interview him then we would all know the answer to that question 🤷♂️
Thanks for the I’m his agent comment it did make me smile 👍
If it’s not Hoeness, I still think Tim needs to conduct the interview process. Time will tell who we get next, I just want the manager aligned with Tim.
Maybe I should DM Hoeness on Instagram and ask if he is interested in switching agents 🤣
You’ve got my vote! 👍
Wunderbar! 👍🤣
In whatever ‘system’ we are employing although it pains to admit, Ings is more of a threat than Antonio. It really is a sorry statement and evident of how low we have sunk.
Your having a laugh re Antonio.
He has to be dropped to have him at nearly 35 as our striker in 2024 is imo pathetic.
He has 1 goal in 9 prem starts this season and you don’t want him axed what have you been watching???
I’m not advocating for Antonio to be dropped. However Danny Ings certainly did his best in the few minutes he was given at the end and came very close to scoring. One thing’s for sure, if Ings gets the ball anywhere near the goal he is very capable of getting a good shot away. Maybe Antonio in the first half and Ings in the second half of games could work? Neither are 90 minutes guys anymore.
I like the idea of a half each 👍 it makes sense for the reasons you’ve mentioned. Also agree that Antonio drifts out wide too often. His lack of pace means he isn’t in the right position when he does this.
Makes sense to me
Should Antonio be axed then it will be a free for all to the opposition he may be struggling these days for goals but his hold up play and his ability to turn players as well as using his strength to push past defenders is something we need at the moment there is no one else at the club that can do that and maybe with a lot more support from the team his goals might start to happen as for JL he’s got to go before we find ourselves in the relegation spots and that could may well see us playing championship football next season as things stand that could become a reality
Szmodics wanted to join us and we could have had him cheap but oh no he wasn’t good enough he now has 5 goals in a struggling team
Delap too!
Then again Ipswich did bring in Kalvin Phillips who didn’t even make the bench in their win against Spurs.
I still wish we had bought Jonathan David 🇨🇦 Despite the agents fees involved he would’ve been perfect for us 🤦♂️
Another striker that we will miss out on to a big club like Gyokeres 🤦♂️