*** during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton at the Boleyn Ground on December 28, 2015 in London, England.
West Ham coaches have realised why early training ground judgements on Michail Antonio may have been a little unfair on the £7 million signing.
The former Nottingham Forest player of course took a while to break through and although that was down to positive performances from those in front of him, there was another reason.
One source explained that it wasn’t until the flying winger had got onto a full sized pitch that they could see what his game was truly all about – pace, power and endurance over 90 minutes.
Antonio could not show himself to full advantage of the three-quarter sized pitches at Chadwell Heath but once he was up to fitness it became obvious that his game in general was well suited to full-size pitches.
We were told: “It was obvious when we scouted him that he is all strength and power but we were a bit taken aback at his relentless running once he hit Premier League pitches. He goes from one end to the other over and over again. You can’t judge that stuff on the training ground pitches
“He’s been a revelation and now he is up to full fitness and we know the extent to which he can keep going it’s going to be a hard call to drop him.”
Looks like he’s got a remarkable engine. When you have a player working both ends of the pitch, it’s like you’re playing with 12.
He has thoroughly deserved the plaudits he has had recently.
Such enthusiasm.
Probably the same problem why they think Jenkinson is a premier league player,he needs to play on junior pitches,
You always need some players in the team that have that work rate and energy about them
Ginge and Tomo are the same at the back and that’s what’s missing about Songs game at the moment he thinks he is the star player which he was last year now we have Payet and Lanzini he is not and he needs that energy that he had at the gooners and why Barca were interested in him,
Antonio is are Alan Taylor in this team that had Brooking and Devonshire around him we now have a nicebalence about us
@bubs – Song has just come back from a massive injury layoff – give him time, he’ll be back to his best.
We haven’t seen the best of this lad yet . He is getting better with every game and when he finally settles he will be a huge asset !
We know in our stomach that this is the start of a future that we have been dreaming of for along time !!
If it wwasn’t for the injury and some luck in front of goal we would be top ! And that wouldn’t be down to over achieving ! We have a great squad and management with owners that want success and are willing to spend some dosh,
Happy days !!