Ally McCoist in stitches after Michail Antonio moment in West Ham United clash v Tottenham
Ally McCoist has been left in stitches after what Darren Fletcher said about Michail Antonio in the clash between West Ham United and Tottenham.
Julen Lopetegui’s side returned from the international break in disappointing fashion as they were beaten 4-1 by Spurs on Saturday (19 October) despite taking an early lead through Mohammed Kudus.
While the Hammers didn’t have loads of the ball in North London as they were played off the park by Ange Postecoglou’s side, TNT Sports commentator Fletcher felt Antonio went down too easily under the challenge of Destiny Udogie.
Speaking on TNT Sports 1 (19 October, 12:48) Fletcher said: “I tell you what, I had a stroll in the pitch with Michail Antonio this morning and with his shoulders, he shouldn’t go down like that.”
Laughing, McCoist replied: “No, to be fair the lad that put him down is a big lad also but I hear what you’re saying.”
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These are the sort of games where Antonio appears to come alive. When the Hammers have their backs against the wall and have to battle with little possession, the Jamaican international seems to thrive at the top of the pitch.
While he did go down slightly easily under very little pressure from Destiny Udogie in the first half on Saturday, that sort of intelligent back-to-goal play is what makes Antonio so important at the London Stadium.
Unfortunately, the Hammers failed to make use of that presence at the top end of the pitch over the course of the 90 minutes.
Niclas Fullkrug was brought to East London to play in that way, but injuries have meant that the German international is yet to really get going in claret and blue. While he remains sidelined, it is down to Antonio to lead the line and shoulder the burden.
Hopefully, referees continue to give those sorts of decisions Antonio’s way. It helps the Hammers slow the game down to their pace, especially against teams like Spurs and that will only be a good thing for Lopetegui’s side.
In other West Ham news, Thomas Frank has been backed to exit Brentford to move to the London Stadium
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