Michail Antonio: Pundit raises ‘crisis’ fears over West Ham star after confession
Alex McLeish has suggested Michail Antonio may be suffering a “confidence crisis” at West Ham after a barren run in front of goal.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, urged critics to “forgive” the 31-year-old for going “off the boil” in recent weeks.
As quoted by the Evening Standard last Friday (18 February), David Moyes confessed he wants to see Antonio back on the scoresheet soon after his recent drought.
The hitman made it six league games without a goal in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United.
Moyes insisted he is seeing encouraging signs from the former Nottingham Forest star and tipped him to get back scoring soon.
However, McLeish admitted the hitman may need to rediscover some self-confidence to hit the goal trail again.
Discussing Antonio’s record this season, McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “It’s not bad for a converted full-back, is it?
“He is still a handful for defenders. He must be really difficult to play against with his speed and his strength.
“But like every human being, you go through a confidence crisis at some stages and this is a crisis now. He has been at an extremely high level for the last two or three seasons for West Ham. Maybe not Harry Kane levels.
“You have to realise and forgive the fact that he goes off the boil now and again. As long as he’s still contributing something to the team, maybe assisting, getting other people to have chances and scoring, like Bowen.
“When you see West Ham losing one or two stronger players in the team, you can see them tailing off a little bit.”
Antonio has netted nine goals in 29 appearances across all competitions this season.
However, he has only scored twice in his last 17 Premier League outings.
In other news, pundit digs at three West Ham stars who are not pulling their weight.