Mikey Antonio has been slammed by ex-Hammers striker Dean Ashton.
West Ham were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle on Saturday, as the Irons missed the chance to climb back into the top four. 
They are now one point behind Manchester United but the Red Devils could move to four points clear if they beat Leeds on Sunday.
Mikey had a muted display against the Magpies and has now gone six games without a goal since scoring against Crystal Palace on New Year’s Day.
Ashton wasn’t impressed with his display and believes that he simply dropped too deep throughout the game, as he was needed in the final third.
Indeed, in the second half, the Hammers did not actually have a shot on target, with a number of efforts blocked by the steadfast Magpies defence.
Speaking on talkSPORT commentary, Ashton, who scored 19 goals in 56 games for the Hammers, criticised Mikey’s display.
He said: “I wish I could go down there and hand Michail Antonio a piece of paper and on it would say: ‘You are a goalscorer not a playmaker. Get yourself in the box.’
“Stop worrying about making clever little runs outside the 18-yard box and getting involved as much as he has done.
“He works incredibly hard, that’s absolutely right, but can he work a little bit smarter. Time and time again he’s not in the box.”
Later on, he was left exasperated as Mikey was not in his usual position, saying: “What is he doing out there?
“You’ve got your full-back and your winger, absolutely got things under control.
“Cresswell turns back and he’s got his centre-forward as if he’s like a follow-up left-back.
“Just leave it them. Get yourself into the box where that cross you put into the box ended up. That should be where you are, heading it in.
“He’s only scored two in 16 games, get yourself into the box.”
Absolutely. This is a key position to upgrade in the summer. We don’t need a back-up, we need an upgrade.
Drano spot on – Mikey is never in the box. Goals from all attackers except Bowen are non-existent. We rely on defenders to assist and score as well as defend. Fornals, Benrahma, Vlasic are all playing without purpose – working hard but rudderless . Rice and Soucek situation is criminal. We are striving for mediocrity.
100% correct.
Ancelotti told DCL that he expected 1 touch or at most 2 in the box from him. Score goals with 1 or 2. Don’t bother with the rest. He had his best season.
Antonio isn’t a striker. Doesn’t want to be in the box. Wants to take 10 touches.
His name is Michail, not Mikey. Michail. And he was garbage today, and has been generally very poor for ages. Hope that’s not libellous.
It’s all very well pundits seeing the problems but why isn’t Moyes seeing anything? We all keep on going on how well he’s done but the team keep playing the same lethargic way side to side in 1st gear which is so easy to defend against. What is he doing I training every week cos this has been going on since November international break.
He’s been found out and has no plan B.
Antonio is not a top flight centre forward . He is garbage . Plays like a Sunday morning pub footballer . Week after week he does nothing but apparently there is no one available who is any better . The rest of the world is beginning to see that Moyes is a one trick pony. Plan A based on set plays and that is all . The team is playing on Empty . … Nothing left and we will slide down the table and out of Europe . No back up , no depth of squad and no plan B. Moyes is a Muppet . COYI