Michail Antonio ridiculed over no-show after West Ham United backfire – John Cross
Michail Antonio has been ridiculed for his no-show on the Footballer’s Football podcast, following West Ham United’s defeat to Liverpool, according to John Cross.
The Hammers forward, who hosts the podcast alongside Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson had boldly predicted that David Moyes’ side would finish above Jurgen Klopp’s side this season, describing the Anfield clash as a six-pointer.
West Ham were beaten 3-1 by Liverpool on Sunday (24 September) as Antonio didn’t have the best of games as he led the line and the Jamaican forward was then mysteriously absent from Wednesday’s (27 September) edition of the podcast.
Writing in the Daily Mirror on Friday (29 September, page 60) Cross wrote: “West Ham strike Michail Antonio co-hosts an entertaining BBC Podcast – The Footballers’ Football podcast- with Newcastle striker and long-term pal Callum Wilson.
“Antonio predicted last week that West Ham would finish above Liverpool. But the Hammers duly lost at Anfield and there was no sign of the Hammers striker on this week’s show – much to the amusement of Wilson who ridiculed his friend’s absence.”
Ridiculed
You have to wonder sometimes whether or not Antonio would be better off keeping his mouth shut in the lead-up to big games like the Hammers clash with Liverpool, as it undoubtedly brings more attention to the Hammers forward and could well rile up opposition sides.
As soon as the Jamaican international made his prediction he received ridicule all over social media for being too arrogant or cocky ahead of a match where Moyes’ side were very obviously underdogs and unlikely to come away with all three points.
That attention has now only been exacerbated by the striker’s absence this week on the podcast, which has meant that a prediction likely made in jest is still being spoken about almost two weeks after it was made and five days after the game was actually played.
Realistically, it was nothing more than a bit of fun from Antonio and he likely meant no harm by making such a suggestion, but it just feels as though there would be less criticism for West Ham if he kept his mouth shut every now and again.
In other West Ham news, the Irons look to have got the sale of flop Nikola Vlasic spot on as his struggles have continued with Torino