Michail Antonio ‘cannot complain’ if he is axed v Nottingham Forest, West Ham United performances have been ‘dire’ – Jacob Steinberg
West Ham United striker Michail Antonio cannot complain if he is dropped to the bench against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, according to Jacob Steinberg.
The Guardian journalist, sharing his preview (10 November) for the Hammers’ crucial Premier League clash on Sunday (12 November) believes that the Jamaican international’s performances have been “dire” and is “under pressure” to raise his level.
His impressive start to the season has taken a dramatic nosedive with last weekend’s blank at Brentford now his seventh Premier League game without scoring since the Brighton win in August and it’s now just two goals in his last eleven in all competitions [SofaScore].
Antonio missed a chance to put the Hammers 3-2 against Brentford, and speculation has been rife surrounding the number nine spot at the London Stadium.
Steinberg wrote: “With no goal in any competition since 26 August, Michail Antonio has been making more of an impact with comments on the Footballer’s Football Podcast than on the pitch.
“Never shy of voicing his opinion, it seems the striker is not worried about ruffling feathers. But it goes two ways.
“Antonio’s recent performances for West Ham have been dire and he cannot complain if he is on the bench against Nottingham Forest.
“Antonio, who missed an open goal during the 3-2 defeat by the Bees, is under pressure to raise his level.”
Bowen the man
Antonio did grab an impressive assist against Brentford last weekend but it was another performance in which he failed to show he is the long-term solution to the club’s issues at number nine.
Speculation has certainly picked up as to what the Hammers will be looking for in the forthcoming windows.
The Irons have been linked with Leicester City hitman Kelechi Iheanacho [TEAMtalk, 6 November] and Feyenoord star Santiago Gimenez (Mirror, 28 October), both of whom present better options for the starting striker role than Antonio.
Goals win games and while Bowen has proven a shining light in that regard, relying on the Englishman’s goals really isn’t sustainable.
However, that won’t stop Moyes picking the England international as his main frontman and the West Ham United boss has already voiced his supposed preference for Bowen in the middle which spells bad news for Antonio.
Steinberg is right, Antonio needs to stop voicing his opinion on others on his podcast with Callum Wilson and start scrutinising his own performances which have been incredibly disappointing.
Can he take his opportunity when it comes or is he lazily strutting his way to an inevitable exit at the London Stadium?
In other West Ham news, Antonio was left “devastated” by his recent miss.