Michail Antonio comments may increase sack calls for David Moyes at West Ham United
Despite West Ham United’s improved recent form, talk surrounding David Moyes’ future at the London Stadium just won’t go away with speculation around the Scotsman’s position still rife.
Talks over extending his contract haven’t yet begun and some portions of the Hammers’ fanbase believe that it would be the perfect time for the Irons to part company with Moyes for a more attacking and exciting new head coach.
One consistent argument has been that the 60-year-old doesn’t get the best out of the Irons’ attacking talent and that pressure may well have just increased on Moyes after Michail Antonio’s latest comments surrounding Jarrod Bowen.
Antonio has suggested that Bowen isn’t particularly enjoying playing as a central striker despite having a skillset that suits the role, as he doesn’t see as much of the ball as when he plays out wide and gets less space to operate in [Footballer’s Football Podcast, 5 December].
Now players are always expected to play in positions that aren’t their preferred roles when their teammates are ruled out through injury, but Bowen’s unhappiness with his role at the London Stadium could well increase the pressure on Moyes.
The England international has been West Ham’s most consistent source of goals this season, but his best performances have come when he has been deployed on the right wing and he has been much less effective through the middle.
If players like Bowen are unhappy with their role under Moyes’ management at West Ham, that could well increase the likelihood of the manager departing the London Stadium in the near future, especially considering the 26-year-old has only recently signed a new deal with the Irons.
The Hammers board won’t want their star man to be unhappy as they don’t want him to look to move away from East London. While there has been no suggestion that such an exit could be close, it wouldn’t be out of the question if Bowen remains unhappy.
Moyes and those above him at the London Stadium will likely be frustrated that once again Antonio has been outspoken about an issue that should have really remained inside the changing room. While it won’t have been his intention, he could have well have left his manager open to even more criticism.
In other West Ham news, Kieron Dyer has shared his verdict on whether or not the Irons should look to sack Moyes this season