West Ham boss shares anger with Jamaica as Antonio returns late
West Ham boss David Moyes has shared the ‘biggest problem’ surrounding Michail Antonio.
The 31-year-old has been away on international duty with Jamaica and is due to return barely 24 hours before the Hammers’ FA Cup tie with Kidderminster Harriers.
Moyes questioned the fairness of his untimely return by suggesting club football should be players number one priority.
“Mich will arrive back from Jamaica at 11 ‘o’clock today.” the Scot said in his pre-Kidderminster Harriers press conference.
“I think the biggest problem is that the scheduling for all the games is really tough for the people doing it.
“The people who get affected are the players first and foremost, but if you’re a club paying their wages, it’s hardly correct you get a player back at 11 ‘o’clock on a Friday morning to play at 12.30 on a Saturday.”
Near miss
Thankfully, Antonio isn’t likely to feature in this weekend’s FA Cup tie as the Hammers should have enough firepower to ease past their non-league opponents without him.
This could have been a real issue if the Irons had an important league game to play and could still present itself as an issue in the future depending on how the international breaks align with fixture schedules.
Moyes is spot on though. West Ham are the ones who pay his wages and are responsible for the player – why should they miss out at Jamaica’s expense?
To make matters worse, they failed to win any of their three World Cup qualifiers which makes his absence even more frustrating.
Antonio could have really done with a rest like most of the squad enjoyed with his importance so apparent in this team.
A little winter break would have allowed the talisman to rest and recover mentally and physically as that is something he has struggled with at times this season whilst carrying the burden of the clubs only recognised striker.
In other Irons news, West Ham boss Moyes opens up on ‘difficult’ January transfer window.