West Ham United injury blow ahead of Tottenham clash a blessing in disguise
West Ham United may be counting their blessings come the final whistle against Tottenham on Saturday (19 October) with Michail Antonio set to lead the line.
Niclas Fullkrug has been ruled out once again after suffering a setback in his rehabilitation and is believed to be “still some way” from his comeback [Alex Crook].
Julen Lopetegui has two options to replace the German: Jarrod Bowen can be selected as a makeshift striker, a role he has proven more than capable of playing, or he can place his trust in Michail Antonio.
Antonio ended a six-match barren run in front of goal, opening the scoring inside the first few minutes of the 4-1 win against Ipswich Town, and there is no one he loves playing against more than Tottenham.
Michail Antonio could be the secret weapon for West Ham United
The 34-year-old has become a part of the furniture in East London but the contingency plan to ease the forward out of the first team frame has not gone to plan for Lopetegui.
Danny Ings proved he can play a role when called upon after his 95 minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Fulham but he is seemingly not in the boss’ plans and will surely spend his time during Fullkrug’s layoff on the bench.
Antonio remains an important player for this Hammers’ side nine years since his move from Nottingham Forest.
While Fullkrug would have surely lined up against Tottenham had the German been deemed fit, a perfect opportunity has presented itself for Lopetegui to unleash a secret weapon against his London rivals.
Antonio has scored six goals against Spurs in 14 matches, the most he has scored against any other Premier League side in his career [Transfermarkt].
He has imposed his physical presence against Tottenham over the years and should be called upon, potentially for the final time, to haunt Ange Postecoglou in his own backyard.
The attacking trio of Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus can lean on Antonio as the focal point of the front line and use the Jamaican’s hold-up play to link up the attack.
In other West Ham news, Julen Lopetegui has been fired a warning at the Hammers ahead of the Tottenham showdown.
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