Is it too late for Michail Antonio to get what most of us might believe is long overdue?
Mickey got one call-up under former Hammers boss Sam Allardyce’s ill fated spell but never got off the bench and many believe his chance may now have passed him by.
At nearly 31, and with Gareth Southgate, the chances look unlikely but as a back-up at Euro 2000 one of the nation’s veteran striker, Charlie Austin, believes he deserves the shout.
There’s little question the hammers top man has developed into one of the best in the country and being part of one of the nation’s best club teams he will be under the Three Lions boss’s eye pretty regularly until the end of the season.
Turn the old expression: If they are young enough they are good enough on its head and there may ne an outside chance our No 30 will make it.
Despite his goal scoring prowess, the 30-year-old is even considering switching allegiance to Jamaica.
But Austin feel the chance to play for England should not be allowed to pass him by.
Speaking to talkSPORT Austin said: “He offers something completely different; strong, powerful and can run in behind.
“He’s a defender’s nightmare! I don’t think anyone in the Premier League would like to play against him.
“He would be a long shot to get in the England side. But is he completely different to everyone else? I think so.
“As much as he is performing really well for West Ham and West Ham as a team are performing really well, he is just not unfortunately someone who comes to the front of your mind.
“I feel for him because he is performing. And we will soon see in March if Gareth Southgate picks him or not.”
Mikey doing anything other than spending the whole of the close season with his feet up on a beach somewhere has got to be our worst nightmare!
To be honest cannot see this happening at his age, especially with the ongoing injury concerns he has.. .
Only a long shot because Gareth Southgate prefers players fresh out of the tactics room who do and play just as they are told. No general direction and ethos. Rigid, blame free, predictable shape and style leaves the England team hamstrung. Yes this system often works against third division national teams but never convincingly. England persist with this ‘successful’ text book against better teams and are consistantly found to be falling short. Such a shame that Sam Allardyce was the subject of a ‘get him’ exercise. I’m sure that Sam would have made the most of players in form, players who wanted to play for England. Making the most of guys like Antonio and Vardy. Picking these men for an England appearance doesn’t mean they have to be selected for the next five years. Too many England players are in the squad because they conform to the stereotype. England are limited by the imagination of the play directors. Unfortunately, Gareth is unlikely to change. He will be with us for a long time. He will never do anything ‘wrong’. Never make any mistakes and nor will his players. But England will not achieve much. A waste of a generation or two. That includes us, the supporters, too. We are frustrated with mediocracy. We watch because itis the only game in town. But, Gareth would be wise to remember that the man who never made a mistake never made anything. The lost years. Ready to be consigned to history – sooner the better.
I hope there will be a realisation of this folly and players like Antonio are allowed the chance to show what they can do. Michail Antonio is his own position and style. Doesn’t need to be number 9 or anyone else’s role. Get on with it Gareth. Grow a pair.
COYI