Scott Collier of West Ham Fan TV has called for striker Michail Antonio to be dropped following a recent dip in form.
The Hammers forward is yet to score a Premier League goal this season, and with the team scoreless in the Premier League after three matches, they could do with his goals. Last season, Antonio found the back of the net a total of 13 times to go alongside his 11 assists in all competitions.
So far this season, it must be said that Antonio has far from shown the form that helped to propel West Ham to the Europa League semi-finals in the last campaign. With Gianluca Scamacca making the move to east London this summer, too, the pressure is certainly on.
Collier has been quick to have his say on the struggling forward, saying on West Ham Fan TV: “He’s been a good servant, he’s done well, he’s our record Premier League goalscorer, and that is one of the things that will never get taken away from him. But if a striker goes through the vein of form that he’s gone through, he’s got to be dropped.”
TIF Thoughts on Antonio…
West Ham’s form as a team is worrying in itself, but Antonio’s is a great concern. The focal point of West Ham’s attack has been anything but that to start the season, with a lack of goals apparent. And considering the fact that they spent £35.5m on Scamacca this summer, you worry for Antonio’s place if he continues his poor run in front of goal.
So far this season, with his main opportunities coming in Europa Conference League qualifying, Scamacca has scored twice, with his performances on the European stage potentially leading to a start in the Premier League for the big-money arrival.
And we agree that putting faith in the Italian is perhaps the right thing to do now with two goals in as many starts for the Hammers – which would indeed see Antonio drop to the bench, but whether David Moyes decides to do that this afternoon remains to be seen.