Exclusive: McAvennie hails West Ham togetherness, warns to avoid Arnautovic
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie agrees with Angelo Ogbonna’s claim that the West Ham mentality has improved since David Moyes return to the London Stadium.
Speaking to West Ham’s official website earlier this month, the Italian centre-back said: “I think since the manager came in everything has changed. If you see it from the background, you can feel the new mentality, and this is what we want.”
Since Moyes’ arrival last December, West Ham have avoided relegation and been in such good form since that they look as though they’re candidates to qualify for Europe in the Premier League.
McAvennie believes there’s more togetherness in the squad but warns about the Irons trying to re-sign Marko Arnautovic with the controversial Austrian linked with a shock return to England [Sky Sports].
“I think they’re together a bit more and that’s why I couldn’t understand why they wanted Arnautovic back,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“I spoke to some of the players and they didn’t like him in the dressing room.
“I know he’s a good player but there are other players out there that you can go and get.”
McAvennie’s right but it really does not look as though the Hammers will be re-signing Arnautovic this month even though they have a shortage up front.
Sebastien Haller left the London Stadium to join Ajax at the start of this week which leaves Michail Antonio as the only striker in Moyes’ squad.
Antonio got himself on the scoresheet on Saturday as West Ham beat Burnley 1-0 but he’s had a lot of injury issues lately and it might be a risk to have him playing so often for the rest of the campaign.
Someone else has to come in up front and we’re glad it won’t be Arnautovic.
His presence at the club was toxic to not only the fans but also the players based on McAvennie’s inside knowledge of the club.
In other West Ham news, the Irons are eyeing up Marseille’s Morgan Sanson.