Nobody has ever doubted Mikey Antonio’s work rate – the squad yes over past seasons- but not the centre forward’s.
And its the high energy approach under David Moyes which has as much to do with the rise in our fortunes as anything else according to the No 9.
Goals such as Manu Lanzini’s at Palace are great but the work rate of the squad is what it is really all about and what has been lacking for so long under a succession of managers.
David Moyes has said consistently that he wants a youthful and highly energetic team and it was the fitness levels which he brought to the squad’s attention the minute he arrived at the club.
The days of pretty West Ham Way football have been replaced with a game based on fitness and work rate and Mikey has explained how that has happened.
And he made it clear that it was this which has seen the Irons become the Premier League’s surprise packets.
He explained: “‘He (Moyes) showed us stats when he came in that said our work rate wasn’t high enough. Our running stats were about 16th in the league. Now our running stats are fourth or fifth.
We’ve got the quality but you have to match the work rate with it. That is what the top boys do.’
