West Ham United: Michail Antonio must play in brand new Jarrod Bowen verdict
Frank McAvennie has insisted Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen should remain the attacking partnership for West Ham after their recent form when playing together.
Antonio has scored two goals in his last four games for West Ham, but his performances have been about more than just goalscoring prowess as he also works to bring his teammates into play.
The former Hammers man has been impressed by Antonio’s physical attributes as he highlighted how his play differs from Bowen’s, making them an ideal partnership.
McAvennie – speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone – explained his view that both Bowen and Antonio should be starting alongside each other more often than not at the London Stadium.
“He’s shown that he and Bowen can play off each other. Antonio is a clever player, when he goes out, Bowen comes in and when Bowen goes out, he comes in from deep,” McAvennie shared.
“I think the two of them up front can do well together. Antonio’s something different to what Bowen is. He can put himself about, he can hold defenders, bring people into play and I think it’s good that he’s fit and Moyes can play the two of them. It’s great.”
Michail Antonio receives high praise at West Ham
Antonio has been at the centre of plenty of conversations around West Ham in recent weeks. After he was subbed off against Newcastle, questions were asked about the choice, and then he changed the game coming from the bench against Wolves.
McAvennie had previously gone as far as to suggest the Hammers do not need to sign a big-name marquee striker like Ivan Toney while Antonio is at the club as he can do the job up top as proved by his recent goalscoring form.
The Jamaican has also been linked with an exit from the London Stadium recently and he could be tempted to walk away if Bowen becomes the preferred number nine under Moyes, as McAvennie previously told West Ham Zone.
Despite a lengthy absence due to injuries earlier this season, Antonio has established himself as a key player in Moyes’ side recently, and his performance off the bench against Wolves proved he deserves to start most weeks.
In other West Ham news, Jason Cundy and Jamie O’Hara argued about the latest controversy live on air.
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