Neil Warnock claims West Ham must keep ‘super’ Hammer fit to beat drop
Neil Warnock has claimed that West Ham must keep Michail Antonio fit if they are to avoid the drop this season.
The Hammers are out of the bottom after their 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday, but face a tricky run of fixtures in the coming weeks, including clashes with Arsenal, Wolves, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea.
Antonio scored in that match against the Saints, and former Cardiff City manager Warnock believes that the 29-year-old could prove to be pivotal in the fight to stay in the Premier League.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, (Saturday 29th February, 2.45pm), he said: “He [David Moyes] needs to keep Antonio fit.
“I think if you’ve got two Antonio’s in the side, he’d be safe by now.
“He was super the other night [against Liverpool], the effort he put in, and he’s always going to be a threat.”
Antonio has made 14 appearances in the Premier League this season after having missed 14 games through a series of injuries.
Is Warnock right about Antonio?
Yes and no.
On the one hand, Antonio’s fitness will not be the only factor that decides whether or not West Ham retain their Premier League status.
On the other, there’s no denying that the Hammers look like a much better side with him in the starting XI.
So far this term he has averaged 3.2 shots, 5.1 aerial duels won, and four successful dribbles per game, as per Whoscored, and that’s without other, less tangible assets like his unparalleled work rate.
Antonio consistently runs himself into the ground for the team, and that means that there are often occasions when he looks like the most likely player to cause trouble for an opposition.
There’s no getting away from it – our survival hopes would be much better off with him in the side.
In other West Ham news, ‘Terribly negative’ – These Hammers fans react to baffling David Moyes statement.