West Ham United U21s take on Boreham Wood in a friendly match this evening, and there’s a surprise inclusion in the starting XI.
With half of the Hammers U21 squad away on duty with Graham Potter’s first-team in the Premier League Summer Series, a starting spot has been handed to none other than Michail Antonio. In what was a dream start to the match, Antonio scored after only 4 minutes to put the Irons youngsters 1-0 ahead.
The out-of-contract West Ham striker will wear the number 9 shirt at Meadow Park, pushing new signing Daniel Cummings to the bench in the process.
Antonio is hoping to earn a new Hammers deal after rejecting a pay-as-you-play offer while he proves his fitness following a serious car accident last December.
The 35-year-old managed a couple of substitute appearances for Jamaica in June and has continued his recovery at Rush Green since returning.
Manager Mark Robson has no doubt been instructed to give Antonio a run-out this evening as he works towards a return to top-flight football.
Good luck, Mikey.
Get rid of him, he has been poor for two of more seasons. We have looked after him since his accident and now should move on, he’s beginning to p.. me off.
I find this ridiculous. Cummings should be starting these games. Yet we give game time to a 35 year old areas. Obviously when ‘a trusted source’ stated that the club felt Potter was wrong in not wanting a striker, and that we need two, they meant Wilson AND Antonio. No wonder this club is a joke.
Nice to see mikey score a goal after all his been through, the isea of keeping him as an impact sub could work be better than signing Wilson that’s for sure, pay as you play contract seems ideal.
Seemingly we are already planning for the championship 26/27.
There is no vision by our club anymore and we will become the laughing stock this coming season, if I was Cummings this had in being an insult.
Antonio a fantastic servant for our club but your time is up so let’s start in blending in the youngsters as I thought this was the whole idea of pre season friendlies
Potter ? Expecting him to last until late December and then for a replacement in taking us into the wilderness for 26/27., if we aren’t there already !
I’d keep Antonio on as an impact sub if he can prove his fitness. I think that to bring him on with 15-20 to go when we’re a goal down would be a better option than anyone else.
If we’re only 1-0 down anywhere with only 15-20 to go it’ll be a miracle
This is why we will never improve as we’re too sentimental and short sighted. I love Antonio and wish him all the best. He’s 35 now and was struggling to put a full 90 mins shift In 2 seasons ago, let alone post car crash/recovery? Daniel Cummings Is our future (fingers crossed) and needs time to develop and build confidence. I just don’t see the point in playing an oap (in football terms) over an exciting up and coming that’s full of energy and enthusiasm? This sort of behaviour hurts my head? I’m still trying to workout why young Evan’s didn’t get any game time? I will probably have that put on my headstone, as I can’t get over it? Fingers crossed Sullivan will be gone soon, one way or another…
COYI⚒️⚒️⚒️⚒️
Just blocking the youngsters, he turned out offer down so move on.
Thanks for everything but time to move on…
It would be good if Antonio can play somewhere if he wants to, he’s been great for us. But he’s not at the level anymore for the Premiership and the club needs to move on and let Cummings play or a possible future player.
Putting off the decision doesn’t help the club or Antonio unless of course Sullivan does want another Callum Wilson in the squad.