Phil Thompson has blasted Michail Antonio for his comments on West Ham’s current run of form, suggesting that the winger’s claims are embarrassing.
In an interview with Sky Sports News Antonio admitted that complacency had crept into the West Ham squad during their current slump of three straight defeats, and seemed to suggest that the players only turn up for games against the top six.
Speaking on Soccer Saturday (Saturday February 2nd, Sky Sports News, 12pm), Thompson argued that the wide man was out of order.
He said: “I think it’s embarrassing that he’s saying that about his own team, about his own players.
“He’s saying here that playing against the top six they always turn up. Well, there’s more games against the rest of the teams than there is against that top six so unless you do your business you’ll struggle.
“On Monday night [against Liverpool] they will be flying. Those players were unrecognisable, whether it’s against Wimbledon, or whether it’s against Wolves, and that’s a sad indictment of the players.
“That’s what I’d be worried about.”
OPINION
Thompson has not minced his words here, and he is right to be cutting in his assessment of Antonio’s comments. Why would a player come out and say something so damaging during such a poor run of form with a clash against the league leaders to contend with on Monday? It makes no sense, and whether it’s the case or not, it hints at a lack of unity, and perhaps even an element of arrogance in the West Ham squad that they can ill-afford with such a tight race for seventh spot ahead of them. Hammers’ fans would surely prefer that their team took a hiding from every side above them if it meant that they could walk over sides around them, but at the moment, it’s almost as if the inverse is true. That’s not acceptable, and it stems from nothing more than a poor attitude. Pellegrini will be hoping that he can stop the rot as soon as possible.