Perfect time for West Ham United to start with Danny Ings v Tottenham, David Moyes must axe Michail Antonio
West Ham will face Tottenham in a fiery London derby clash on Sunday (19 February) and this is the perfect time to unleash Danny Ings.
The 30-year-old striker joined in the January transfer window from Aston Villa. Despite his age, the Hammers signed him in a deal worth £15m [The Mirror].
The club have struggled throughout the campaign, and goal scoring has been a major issue. The Hammers paid a big transfer fee to sign Gianluca Scamacca in the summer, but the Italian striker has taken time to adjust to the pace of the league.
Ings, who has got loads of Premier League experience, can be the saviour for the Hammers. But, he has so far played only from the bench.
He picked up a knee injury and the club are very cautious with his progress. Having played in the last two games, Ings now should be ready to start, and this is a game where the Hammers need to show his class.
“We hope so. We brought him here to get some goals but we just need to make sure we bring him back,” said Moyes when asked if Ings will be a regular starter, as quoted by Football London.
“He’s had a knee injury so we just need to look after him as best we can as well. We’re looking forward to getting him in and him giving us the goals.”
The Hammers are just two points above the drop zone. They need to win games, as Moyes said in the press conference. Draws won’t be enough for them at the moment.
To win games you need to score goals. That’s why Ings, who has already scored six goals for Villa this season, should get the nod ahead of Michail Antonio for this game.
Antonio has got vast experience, and he is fit as well, but he has struggled horribly this season in front of goals. He has managed just two goals in 21 league games this season, and it’s time for Moyes to drop him.
The Hammers have been playing well in their last few matches but they need to convert the draws into wins. Tottenham are without their manager Antonio Conte through illness at the moment, and this is the best time to pick up a morale-boosting win.
Moyes must be brave in his approach and throw Ings into the West Ham starting line-up on Sunday.