West Ham failure to sign striker baffles pundits, wants deal done in January
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 was delighted to see Michail Antonio get back among the goals when West Ham lost to Southampton on Boxing Day.
Even though David Moyes saw his side lose 3-2 at the London Stadium on Sunday, there was a major positive in the fact that Antonio, 31, scored for the first time in the Premier League since October 24.
McAvennie feels the failure to sign a new striker in the summer has led to the Hammers not having an option to stand in for Antonio when he’s struggling or when he’s injured and unavailable.
However, the ex-Irons striker hopes that changes by the time the upcoming January transfer window closes.
“The biggest problem for West Ham is when he’s not there,” McAvennie told West Ham Zone.
“People say that strikers score goals. Of course, that’s the job and that’s what they do but there’s a lot more to it.
“You lead the line, you keep defenders out of the way – there’s more to it than just scoring goals.
“Antonio’s been doing a lot. He’s been doing a lot of running, a lot of harrying but he’s not been among the goals.
“I knew that if he kept that up, the goals will come and luckily, it has.
“It’s just unfortunate they didn’t sign another recognised striker in the summer.
“I don’t get it.
“I really hope David buys a striker in January.”
Antonio followed up that goal against Southampton with an assist in the 4-1 win away at Watford on Tuesday.
However, the Jamaica international really should have scored to notch his eighth Premier League goal of the season.
In other West Ham news, ExWHUemployee has issued a major injury update with a ‘brilliant’ player set to be out for up to three months.
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