West Ham insiders remained confused at Michail Michael Antonio’s recent lack of form since returning from injury insisting it is no longer an attitude problem and the midfielder is working hard at the training ground.
Asked about Antonio recent poor form our club insider said: “I wish I knew ! He is training hard and trying very hard, lets hope he rolls back into form. It happens sometimes”
A Claret and Hugh reader recently speculated that Michail is carrying too much muscle for a footballer and has bulked up too much following his return from injury but our insider disputed that.
The 28 year old recently had one of the worst games he has ever played in a West Ham shirt as he faced Brighton which led to him being rated a record low average rating of 3.91 in the most recent Claret and Hugh player ratings poll.
The former Nottingham Forest player joined West Ham three years ago for £7 million initially signing a four-year contract with an option for another two years. He signed a new four year contract in 2017 after winning Hammer of the year for 2016/2017 season.
Too many new contracts too quickly. Believing his own hype! Lack of technical ability will be shown up even more under Pellegrini. Should have sold him in the summer.
Most of the negativity would disappear if he started closing opposition players down and making more sprints. Perhaps the weight of expectation as well as his over developed muscle are dragging him down. I would like to see the happy joyful Antonio goal celebrations again and him playing with a smile on his face, at the moment he doesn’t look like he is playing with that freedom he had under Slav during the first season.