Mikey Antonio looks to be a doubtful starter for the game against Watford on Tuesday evening unless the manager takes an untypical gamble.
The No 9 was returning to London from a couple of World Cup defeats with Jamaica and, beyond his jaded form before leaving, may be both weary and jet lagged.
Whether the boss decides that he can be included remains to be seen but it’s a 50/50 call based on what David Moyes had to sat before yesterday’s game.
Should he decide against including him we will no doubt again see Jarrod Bowen through the middle and whilst he plays that role well, we miss his presence down the wing very badly indeed.
Like Tomas Soucek in a purely defensive midfield role, the No 20 is not quite the player we have been used to seeing when called upon to play an alternative role.
Commenting on the Antonio situation Moyes declared ahead of the Kidderminster game per Hammers News: “We left London yesterday at two o’clock and Mic had not arrived back yet so that was why we did not have him today so that is not good.
It’s not good the situation it would have given me a chance to choose but we did not have Mic back. I have not even seen him since he got back.”
Not really a tricky choice for Moyes as it’s a small squad to begin with.
He has basically played the same players the whole time with only slight tweek as there is zero depth as shown in the FA cup and he won’t play the youngsters at all.
Shame really
I would not start Antonio on Tuesday if there is any risk. I know people will think I am mad here but one thing I learned from the cup game is that Yarmo is much better as a 9 and Bowen is much better on the right side of the midfield. I would start Yarmo up top on Tuesday and see what he can do. I doubt Moyes will see this but that’s what I would do if there is any risk playing Antonio, for me he needs a break. The team I would play on Tuesday would be Fab, Coufal, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Benrahma, Fornals, Bowen and Yarmo. On the bench you then have Antonio, Lanzini and Vlasic to make an impact. I would also ensure 2 o 3 of the u23s are on the bench as I am tired at seeing Fredericks, Diop, and Masuaka being introduced and costing us points.
Just watching Liverpool in the Cup – throwing in young players all over the park – Jones, Elliot, Minamino, Tsimak, Diaz as well as the establish A-Arnold. Guess he doesn’t face tricky selection problems because he gives them a game!!! As I post this they are 3 nil up
I would leave Antonio on the bench too with Lanzini. Play Bowen in his usual right wing position and play Yarmolenko up front. I would play Vlasic on the left because in his best game he provided natural balance to Bowen on the right. Fornals in attacking midfield. Then late on in the game if we need impact subs we have lanzini for fornals or vlasic, and Antonio for Yarmolenko.
Plus reward Yarmolenko after that performance and dive. No chance.
Players don’t suffer from jet lag anymore.
Players return on a shorter flight as they use quicker private jets.
He was scheduled to arrive 11am on Friday.
Antonio has previously declared he sleeps like a baby any time anywhere.
Athletes take sleeping aids if they have to,all perfectly legal ones.
He was never going to play against Kidderminster.
The suggestion of Yarmolenko playing is a concern .Jonham have you been not been watching.?
I would like to see Okoflex start maybe up front with Antonio.
442.