Ian Wright has hailed West Ham United trio Danny Ings, Michail Antonio and Declan Rice after they beat Nottingham Forest 4-0 on Saturday in the Premier League – all three players got on the scoresheet.
It’s amazing what a new striker can do when he enters the building, but as Wright mentioned, new boy Ings was the ‘difference’ against their Premier League relegation rivals.
That brace from the January capture has already started to pay back the fee they paid Aston Villa because that was a huge win down at the bottom.
But it’s not just Ings making the mark, his arrival has also kicked Michail Antonio up a few notches.
Antonio spoke about possibly leaving in January, and in the end, he stayed put. But it could be argued, he has put in his two best performances since Ings arrived. That’s no coincidence!
Nonetheless, Wright was full of praise for the Hammers after their win against Forest, as he told Premier League Productions (25/02/23 at 5:20 pm).
“We said at the start, the importance of the forwards that they have got up the pitch,” said Wright.
“Someone like Danny Ings. He can be the difference, especially at this end of the league, trying to win games. He will take those half chances and that’s what they needed.
“I didn’t see it being four. But, at the same time, with the experience West Ham have with the offensive team they have. You would have fancied West Ham to win this game. Superb goal (by Rice).
On Antonio: “Danny Ings has come in and taken his position. Scoring two goals. You being on the bench, as a striker, you want to get on there. To be fair to him, he has come on and nicked a goal. That would be good for him and his confidence.”
INGS WILL FIRE WEST HAM TO SAFETY
There has been a lot of noise around David Moyes’ job of late, but Ings’ goals can certainly dampen any issues arising.
Ings has eight Premier League goals this season. That’s pretty impressive for a player that’s not been a regular starter.
There is every chance he can get close to 15, or even possibly more. And it’s been a long time since a West Ham striker hit those numbers.
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