Frank McAvennie wants to see Armstrong Okoflex given West Ham chance
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…
Michail Antonio has faced a lot of pressure as the only senior striker at West Ham and his fatigue in recent weeks has Frank McAvennie concerned.
The Jamaican may have scored the Irons’ only goal in the 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Southampton on Wednesday but the sheer volume of games he has played for both club and country is starting to take its toll.
At 31 years of age, Antonio hasn’t necessarily got that long left at the top level so David Moyes needs to be more careful with his star man in order not to break him.
Ex-Hammers striker McAvennie is unsure why some of the youngsters at the club haven’t been given a go in order to allow Antonio a rest every now and then.
“I watched the boy (Armstrong) Oxoflex play against Celtic in pre-season, why hasn’t he been given a go?” McAvennie said exclusively to West Ham Zone.
“Antonio can’t do everything on his own. He needs a rest. The fans would understand if he was rested and a young kid came in. There is no shame in that.
“Antonio must get a rest soon but there is no one really to replace him.
“Bring one of the kids in, there must be someone good enough.”
The next test for Moyes’ men comes in the shape of Liverpool at Anfield which isn’t the kind of place you want to give a kid his debut and the following week’s Europa League knockout tie is another to play the experienced players.
Even if it’s off the bench, 20-year-old Okoflex and Sonny Perkins, another of the club’s top teenagers, need game time somehow to prevent them from stalling in their development so soon into their careers.
In other West Ham news, Antonio himself has issued a rallying call to his teammates after their FA Cup exit in midweek.
Be sure to follow West Ham Zone on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Hammers plus more exclusive interviews with Frank McAvennie.