Moyes issues injury verdict on key West Ham first teamer ahead of Sheff U clash
West Ham will be hoping that they can keep the momentum going from their stunning 4-0 win over Bournemouth on New Year’s Day with another victory against Sheffield United on Friday night.
The Hammers looked much improved in their first Premier League match of David Moyes’ second stint at the helm, and you could argue that last weekend’s FA Cup disruption came at a poor time for a side who need to be picking up points with a much greater regularity than they did in the first half of the season.
If they are to do so against the high-flying Blades tomorrow then they will likely have to be at their best, and that means having the strongest squad possible at their disposal.
Which is why David Moyes’ injury update on Michail Antonio will not be welcome news.
Speaking in his press conference on Thursday, as per Football.London, the boss said: “Michail Antonio is still feeling his hamstring a bit and is unavailable for the game, we were hoping to have him back but he’s not quite ready.”
There is no concrete indication of when Antonio will make his return.
The West Ham Zone View of this is that it is obviously a real blow for the Hammers.
Antonio has been exemplary this season, and the Irons look so much more dangerous with him in the side.
So far this term, he has averaged 2.7 successful dribbles per game, as per Whoscored, as well as 3.8 aerial duels and a match rating of 7.07.
You can’t expect to lose that kind of quality and not be affected by it.
The only consolation for the Irons will be the fact that they did manage to stick four past Bournemouth without Antonio in the side, and they will be hoping to repeat that feat at Bramnall Lane on Friday.
In other news, Report – West Ham agree loan deal for 20y/o Euro dazzler, could be completed in days.