Michail Antonio has made tactical mistakes in the past at West Ham United, but he hasn’t specifically stated that the Hammers aren’t playing as defensively as they once did.
The striker noted this is the first season the Irons have been eager to hold control and work the ball up the field rather than depend on playing long balls on the Footballer’s Football Podcast (18 September).
Antonio stated that despite the setback, the Hammers’ 3-1 loss against Manchester City on Saturday, September 16, may have been their best possession-keeping effort.
This is the first year we’ve kept possession for ourselves, according to Antonio. We were bouncing the ball around them while keeping it. We weren’t just waiting and kicking the ball far; we were also attempting to get up the field.
“This was perhaps the best we’ve been in possession against City since I’ve been here. Although we’ve faced them before and had chances, this is the finest possession game we’ve had against them. We therefore felt good.
signals of progress
Antonio must be pleased with the club’s trajectory given Sam Whetstone’s (18 September) assertion that the Jamaican international has signed a new contract at the London Stadium.
He had been linked with a number of transfers, including ones to Everton, Celtic, and Saudi Arabia, but despite their busy summer window, he is still a Hammer.
The City loss put a stop to David Moyes’ team’s perfect start to the season, which was largely due to Antonio’s superb play.
They finished the weekend in sixth place, which was far better than many anticipated given their dismal league performance the season before. However, a new dynamic and a desire to maintain possession have given the team new life.
The 33-year-old referee suggests that Moyes’ team is no longer “just us holding out and kicking the ball long,” alluding to any earlier dissatisfaction he may have felt with the Scotsman’s previous strategies.
On the field, things have changed, and Antonio should feel confident moving forward with the revamped Hammers given his praise for the performance against City.
