Moyes has told Antonio that West Ham axe is on the cards – ex-manager
Alex McLeish has insisted David Moyes’ “man-management” skills will help Michail Antonio return to top form at West Ham.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested his fellow countryman may have already spoken to the 31-year-old about his recent performances.
Antonio scored his first Premier League goal since October after coming off the bench in the Boxing Day defeat to Southampton.
Having returned to the starting XI, he set up Said Benrahma in the 4-1 win over Watford on Tuesday (28 December).
McLeish insisted the Jamaica international looks like he is getting back to his best.
He hailed Moyes for his management of the striker.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “They’ve got Antonio back on form, they’ve put another spring in his step.
“Moyes will know him really well and the things that float his boat. To help him score goals and play for the team, I’m sure there’ll be good man-management in there.
“Especially for someone like Antonio, he will put have put his arm around him. He’ll have said: ‘I’m going to give you a wee rest now and again,’ and had a chat with the player.
“I’m sure it wouldn’t be just a case of Moyes saying: ‘You’re out today’.
“There’s a lot of man-management there and David Moyes has got that in bundles.”
Antonio has scored eight goals in 21 appearances across all competitions this season.
However, six of his strikes came across his first eight Premier League runouts.
In other news, injury expert claims West Ham star out for six weeks – and it could “easily” be longer.