Michail Antonio: This may be real reason Moyes pointed the finger at West Ham star – pundit
West Ham manager David Moyes has publicly criticised Michail Antonio to inspire a reaction from him, according to Kevin Campbell.
The former Arsenal and Everton striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, supported Moyes’s “smart” decision and predicted it to get results.
Antonio, 31, struggled in front of goal on Sunday as the Hammers were beaten 3-1 by Tottenham.
As quoted by Football.London (20 March), Moyes said the striker “did not reach his level” at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
However, he dismissed the notion that Antonio is struggling for confidence.
When asked by Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs if Moyes was right to single out Antonio, Campbell said: “David Moyes is smart.
“He has been around the block. He knows exactly what he’s doing. By singling out Antonio, he’s thrown the gauntlet down. He has thrown a challenge out there.
“West Ham need Antonio at his best every week. They do not have anybody else who can do what he can do up top.
“Moyes knows that Antonio is not going to go away and sulk. He will roll his sleeves up and get playing. Moyes wants a reaction from him.
“The Sevilla game was so emotional for West Ham and you could see that against Spurs. They looked spent in all honesty.”
Antonio has contributed 10 goals and 10 assists in 36 appearances across all competitions this season.
However, he has failed to score in his last 10 Premier League outings.
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