West Ham United not pleased by Michail Antonio podcast with Newcastle striker Callum Wilson
Michail Antonio’s regular podcast appearances are “not exactly celebrated” at West Ham as the striker is “someone who speaks without a filter”, according to Kieran Gill.
Responding to a question on the Daily Mail’s website (4 October) the journalist said that those at the club face a “nervy wait each week” to see what the 33-year-old is going to say on his regular Footballers Football Podcast for BBC Sounds with Newcastle’s Callum Wilson.
While Antonio’s work towards a post-playing career in the media can be “applauded” Gill claims that the view within West Ham is that it is “not exactly helpful” at times.
One such instance was when he said last season that former teammate Gianluca Scamacca was “not a fighter” and didn’t suit David Moyes’ style of play.
Off-piste
Antonio and Wilson’s podcast is popular for precisely the reasons that West Ham officials would find it a concern because it has removed the stage-managed element where clubs try to keep everything potentially inconvenient under wraps.
The more players have the ability to produce their own media the more there is the potential for possible embarrassment to teammates or coaches.
With Antonio having claimed West Ham would beat Liverpool last weekend in the episode prior to the trip to Anfield, only for the Irons to lose 2-1, it can also lead to him causing himself hassle.
As long as the Hammers are playing well and getting results, and Antonio is contributing, then few at West Ham are likely to have an issue.
But amid struggles such as last season’s it is different if he is admitting things about the gameplans or underperforming players which might make his or others’ positions weaker, even if what he says is ultimately true.
However, it can be positive too as it gives fans a window into players’ perspectives that is so often kept behind closed doors, so as long as he doesn’t say anything too inflammatory it will likely continue.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are looking to sign a Brazilian talent that appears set to head for the Premier League next.