David Moyes has hinted he will now start Mikey Antonio on Thursday in Croatia for the first game of the Europa League group stage after his only striker was suspended for next weekend’s game against Manchester United.
Speaking to reporters after the goalless draw at St Mary’s he admitted he didn’t want Michail to go more than two weeks without a game.
He played a small part for Jamacia but last week that the manager said he can’t play every game for the Hammers this season.
Antonio was expected to be dropped next Thursday in favor of support from Nikola Vlasic and/or Jarrod Bowen, Said Benrahama and Yarmolenko.
Moyes has hinted he may reverse that strategy playing Antonio in Zagreb while using his plan B for the London Stadium against Manchester United.
Nikola Vlasic made his debut yesterday at Southampton as a substitute and showed West Ham some of his skills he possesses and was seen of one of the brightest sparks in yesterday’s drab game.
Seems like a sensible decision under the circumstances.
However, Moyes missed an opportunity to to rotate several players against Saints in conjunction with the midweek fixture, we will not get many more chances to use the squad in league games.
Failing that, I believe the European football team could be almost an entirely different eleven starters in most games, if we don’t intend to utilise all five substitute options, don’t even take the key players abroad, let them remain at Rush Green and tick over until Sunday fixtures going forward.
Midweek team ( possibly) as follows.
Areola
Fredrick’s. Diop. Zouma. Johnson
Kral. Noble. Lanzini
Yarmelenko. Antonio. Vlasic.