David Moyes believes West Ham United are in a fortunate position but wants to see striker Michail Antonio get back to his best form in front of the goal, via quotes by football.london.
The Hammers have thrilled their manager in recent weeks with several stars stepping up to score their goals. But Moyes is holding out hope that Antonio’s latest performances are a sign of the 31-year-old rediscovering his touch that has provided eight goals and six assists.
Antonio has gone five Premier League games without finding the net after firing at Crystal Palace on New Year’s Day. Breaking the deadlock at Selhurst Park saw the Jamaica star hit his second goal in three games, having earlier ended an eight-game drought on Boxing Day.
West Ham have fired nine goals since Antonio last hit the mark, including Manuel Lanzini’s brace at Palace. Jarrod Bowen (5), Pablo Fornals (1) and Craig Dawson (1) have also struck.
Others stepping up while Antonio fires blanks has allowed West Ham to record the fourth-best Premier League offence this season. Only Manchester City, Liverpool (61) and Chelsea (48) have hit home more than the Irons (44), Manchester United (40) and Leicester (36).
Moyes feels West Ham are ‘really fortunate’ but wants Antonio back to his best
West Ham having multiple goalscorers has thrilled Moyes, but he still wants to see Antonio get back to his best. He struck five goals and three assists in his first five outings this term.
“I want him to get on the goalscoring sheet regularly,” Moyes said. “But as a club, it is not a problem as we’re still fourth in the Premier League as goals scored goes. So, we are really fortunate. We have others who have stepped up with goals in different areas in the team.
“Generally, any football manager would probably want the goals to be shared around because it shows you can score from different areas. [But] I want to get Mich back to the levels [he’s shown before] because he’s really important for the team.
“Even last week at Leicester, he did not get a goal but I am just beginning to see little bits which are giving us encouragement [that] he’s getting back and I don’t think it’ll be too long before he’s back on the scoresheet.”
West Ham host Newcastle in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, against whom Antonio scored and assisted during August’s 4-2 win. It was the three-cap forward’s second goal and first assist against the Magpies across six Premier League meetings since joining the Hammers.
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