Former Hammer Tony Gale may have upset a few Hammers fans who found a stream in which he was involved for the match against Leicester.
Gale – usually turns up at Hammers games for any number of channels during the season as a pundit – and was on the one I followed for today’s game.
He spent a lot of time raving about Michail Antonio’s outstanding performance claiming that he was becoming one of the best central strikers in the business.
And there was a moment when he went right over the top following a piece of brilliant hold up play by the 30 year old at the start of the second half.
Explaining that he was now a superb out and out centre forward, he suggested that as a result he may not be with the Hammers for much longer.
He said: “He’s developed brilliantly and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if one of the real big clubs were to come in for him.”
Thanks for that Galey but the guy has a two year option on his contract in the club’s favour and has put it on the record that he is keen to end his career at the club.
Michail Antonio is gold dust.
It has been said elsewhere that he is not a ‘real’ centre-forward, that he is not a ‘natural’ goalscorer and he is far too mediocre in class to be a good footballer. Apparantly, he is just filling-in at present until the superstar is brought in.
He tires, but he is entitled to. Commitment and effort guaranteed all of the time. The way the team played today, to a man, was uplifting. I am sure that all of those players, though understandably exhausted, will have thoroughly enjoyed their part in this performance. All genuinely pleased for each other’s efforts, attitude and the result. Long may it continue – don’t analyse it – just repeat and repeat and look back with pride when playing days are over.
Michail Antonio is his own man and he will enjoy the rest of his career at West Ham United. We would be complete fools to ‘sell’ him and he would not be happy trying to be a replacement CF for anyone else.
Several England caps should follow, but Southgate’s England doesn’t allow for instinctive workers enjoying football. Remember Vardy having a chance? How did he do? Didn’t fit in with the sideways and backwards strategy. He became a flop at England level and he would flop with lots of other sides that would try to turn him into Theo Walcott. Same fate would befall Antonio should he make a move ‘upwards’.
Advice to Michail Antonio – stay where you play well, where your team mates appreciate you and where the fans adore you.
COYI
Antonio is everything you’d want in a West Ham player – gives 100% every match, totally positive attitude and boy! he is so exciting to watch! He comes across as a regular guy who knows he is privileged to play football for a living and to wear the claret and blue. Great example to youngsters and team-mates.
According to the so called experts West Ham arent very good but everyone seems to want their players or hey ive got something to say pundits-definition of ? seem to try and sell their players.Must be fulfilling or something.Who knows ? Who cares ? Ps bigger clubs i only see two Liverpool and Man city.The rest are getting closer and closer.
Well said Taffy Hammer – give Antonio a new contract in December when exercising the renewal option – Mikey you are a Hammers legend – no need to go elsewhere
COYI
I’ve got to say, as much as Tony Gale is a West Ham legend (even though my biggest disappointment as a child was him getting sent off in the F.A Cup semi-final 4-0 defeat to Forest… well, that and my brother’s Gola football boot hand-me-downs with no insole…), i do listen to his commentary sometimes and think he’s not the sharpest tool in the box. Antonio wouldn’t leave West Ham, West Ham wouldn’t sell him and no-one is going to spend upwards of £15m (my evaluation… 10 goals in 11 games!) on a near-31 year-old player.
Bless you Tony, you seem like a nice guy but more than a bit daft
Totally agree Taffyhammer, I’ve heard too many of our own rolling out the same narrative that Michail isn’t a genuine striker…….he looks like a striker as far as I’m concerned…..every bit a top-class striker.
When Zabaleta said that Antonio was a Beast who no one wants to face, I took notice because Zabaleta was a TOP defender and played with and against the very best. Long may Antonio continue in the Claret & Blue.
Something I have noticed over the years with pundits and the sports media, in general, is their mischief-making and fondness for using West Ham players in transfer talk…effectively hawking them around or trying to encourage transfer activity ….. the most recent West Ham victim in this game has been Declan Rice.
Thanks, Gale…… Meant to be one of our own?
Why would Mikey go elsewhere? He is truly loved by the West Ham faithful. Hopefully, we’ve got him until he hangs up his boots.
Moyes is getting the very best from Mikey’s career. He has been transformed. Always a hundred percenter; Moyes is getting a hundred and ten percent. Long may he distinguish the clarent and blue. Galey? Your talking ******** mate. Shut up.