Clinton Morrison has told Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday (16/10, 13:14) he expects West Ham to sign a striker in the January transfer window to ease the pressure on Michail Antonio.
David Moyes opted against signing a centre-forward in the summer despite Antonio ending last season as his only recognised option. Instead, the Irons boss has so far relied on Jarrod Bowen acting as a de facto number nine when without the Jamaica international.
Bowen performed admirably in the role against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup as Moyes rested Antonio. But the 24-year-old winger has only scored once in 10 games across all competitions this season. Netting against Brentford prior to the last international break.
Antonio has been in fine form when on the field, netting six in eight and assisting four in all competitions. However, with no natural cover, Moyes has relied on the 31-year-old to play almost every minute of Premier League action.
West Ham to struggle with smaller squad?
Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling raised the point that West Ham could struggle in the Premier League with a smaller squad size than their rivals, while competing in Europe. A case Morrison feels could be true, as he backed West Ham to target a striker in January.
“It probably will do,” he said. “They brought in [Nikola] Vlasic, but he’s not that centre-forward like Antonio. And there’s a lot of pressure on Antonio to deliver week-in, week-out. It does take its toll. They play on Thursday, then they have to play on the Sunday.
“It’s draining and it’s hard, especially for the players. In other positions, they can rotate, but the centre-forward in Antonio, there’s a lot on his shoulders.
“I don’t worry about West Ham, to be fair, playing in Europe and the Premier League. I know what you’re saying about the squad, but I do believe in January they’ll go again. If they’re doing well, they’ll spend and they’ll have to bring in a centre-forward to compliment Antonio. But I think West Ham will be fine.”
Should Moyes target striker transfer to support Antonio?
Moyes has passed on strengthening West Ham’s striker options beyond Antonio in two transfer windows, despite Morrison’s winter expectations. The Scot chose to stick with what he has in January following Sebastien Haller’s exit, and again in the summer.
Antonio has shown he can lead the line at the London Stadium with a vital presence in the Hammers’ attack. But as the season progresses, Moyes may look toward the January sales for another option to not overuse the 31-year-old.
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