Some of you may recall that I discussed the thorny issue of Mikhail Antonio‘s effectiveness, fitness and future with West Ham midway through the transfer window, in case you missed it the full piece is here: We Need To Talk About Antonio – West Ham News (claretandhugh.info)
From yesterday’s match against a dominant force that is Manchester City, Mikey seemed subdued and without desire to run, unlike Mo Kudus and Jarrod Bowen who, by way of contrast, were tireless. Whether it is age, lethargy, who can tell but our number 9 doesn’t seem the player he was two seasons ago.
The transfer opportunity having been and gone now until next year, Lopetegui has to work with the tools at his disposal. Is Antonio the best – or even second best – option as a centre forward now?
With the skills on display yesterday, you’d have to choose a front line of Summerville, Kudus and Bowen however deployed. More energy, skill, touch, control and pace. More likely to score, frankly. Antonio or Fullkrug can fight it out with Tomas Soucek for the ‘impact’ role on the bench: Time to look dispassionately at West Ham’s resources and best opportunities to break teams down and score goals.
Antonio – time to pass the baton?
Not ‘writing him off, (as per the accusations from the pro-Antonio readers), but acknowledging he is not the player of two and three seasons ago and we have far better options going forward now-surely. Who would you rather have bearing down on goal in a 1:1 with the opposition keeper?
Antonio’s touch and hold-up play also seem to have deserted him. He plays a crucial role but if he cannot retain the ball when it is cleared then we are further handicapped with possession being turned over. I think it is time to consider other options and a change to a younger more skilled front three. Summerville certainly deserves a start on the left having shown a taste of what is to come.
Lopetegui, Mo Kudus and Bowen can work out who wants to start on the right, and who wants to start in the centre: They did swop wings several times yesterday.
A more mobile and potent goal threat, playing to the team’s strengths. Time for a change?
Totally agree, Kudus as a false 9, and Summerville on the left would solve two problems imo.
He should be played only as a wide man and as an impact sub imo
He was never really a central striker but a decent job of it for 2 seasons
I agree he is nearing the end of his career at top level, but I thought he put a real shift in yesterday. A couple of runs up the left wing in the first half reminded me of his pomp as an explosive wing man. He was also close to finishing a Kudus cross and shot. In the second half his effort from a Bowen pass was blocked in the six yard box. Yes he is fading but at present he looks more explosive than his replacement
Yes I agree that he was explosive yesterday Morty but then he looked knackered for all that effort.
Agreed, he can’t play the lone striker for 90 minutes anymore. I just hope Füllkrug can come good, but he doesn’t look the type to press from the front 😊
He is really good at falling over and not winning free kicks. To be fair he did make a few good runs against City.
I heard he was going through a big divorce, maybe this is why he’s been struggling so much of late?
I don’t think that we have a striker of any quality; including Fulkrug. So, if we are going to play with a dedicated striker, it might as well be Antonio. He is not as good as he was & is no worse than Fulkrug. I don’t know exactly what to say about Ings, except that he is probably slightly worse than the other two. However, playing the role of sole striker is not exactly conducive to getting a great display out of any of them. The situation will HAVE to be sorted out next window. It is NOT sustainable !
When was Antonio’s last good game, or goal? When he was good he was unplayable. Haven’t seen that for a long time.
Been around Moyes to long and had the legs run off of him.
For this season generally agreed to keep him as a super sub not a substitute for a younger version.
He is not a 90 minute player and should only play last 20-30 minutes.
Bully boy tactics and punishing tired legs is his game not running around like a spring chicken.
Striker needed but don’t rely on it being Duran his price is likely to escalate.
Been around Moyes to long and had the legs run off of him.
For this season generally agreed to keep him as a super sub not a substitute for a younger version.
He is not a 90 minute player and should only play last 20-30 minutes.
Bully boy tactics and punishing tired legs is his game not running around like a spring chicken.
Striker needed but don’t rely on it being Duran his price is likely to escalate.
I love Mikey, he’s been a phenomenal servant to our club, but something has changed in the past couple seasons, I think it’s mainly his legs are going, but his hold up play isn’t great anymore either, doesn’t seem to be a strong as he used to. I have my doubts about Fullkrug aswell but I think I’d rather see Antonio come on as an impact sub for the last 20 minutes, instead of the other way around, a fresh Antonio with something to prove could be a big handful for tiring defenses.
COYI ⚒️⚒️
It’s a bit odd to complain about not scoring goals and at the same time make every excuse under the sun for Antonio’s failings. He is past his best and that is it, time to go. Fullkrug may not be what we need, but I think he deserves at least a start before he is judged. Antonio, a local favorite at home in London, has not been good for 2 seasons, Fullkrug, just arrived and still to find his feet, is judged on 3 appearances as a sub totalling 83 minutes. I would rather have Fullkrug starting than the memory of what Antonio was. He is not nearing the end, he has long past it. All of that being said, the bigger problems are further back.
Not just 3 substitutions. Totally ineffective when starting against Bournemouth. Zero pace, bad touch. The more I see the two of them the more I think we should have just coughed up what Villa wanted.
Yep agree, I’d use Kudos (as stated above) in a false nine. It’s going to be interesting how we fit Soler into the squad. I’d drop Paq as he has been bang average lately.
He was well past his best 2 seasons ago yet your only highlighting it now.
His only good performances are on his podcast.
Never been a forward,he needs 10 chances to score 1,I for one will be very pleased to see a team sheet with him not starting,he offers absolutely nothing now.
Totally agree Martin.
Somebody who speaks sense on here is so refreshing.
It’s obvious he isn’t mikey from a few years ago , iv said it before I’ll say it again , he has to be a impact sub , he will scare the hell out of defenders in last 20 mins of a game , bowen up front….. again, kudus down the right summervill down the left and I wanna say ditch pac man but I know he will come good so I’d stay stick with him for a few more games
It’s so obvious to me, our line up should be areola, palmeiri, todibo, kilman, awb, alvarez, rodrigo, summerville on left bowen on right kudus Central behind fulkrieg. Antonio, paqueta, soucek, coufal on the bench along with soler until his bedded in, fabianski, mavropanus. Also on bench. Then watch us go flying up the table.
You are making complete sense. The most breathtaking sight during the match was Kudus breaking out towards the Man City goal area and exchanging with Bowen. That is potency! No opposing team can survive that kind of attack. West Ham must harness this fluid understanding between these two attackers.