West Ham news: Pundit cites Harry Kane in ‘nightmare’ Irons player claim
Alan Hutton has urged Michail Antonio to stop “trying to get on the ball” after drawing another blank for West Ham against Newcastle United.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland defender compared the 31-year-old’s recent displays to when Harry Kane was dropping into deeper positions for Tottenham.
Antonio has failed to score in six Premier League games for the Irons.
Just four of Anotnio’s 58 touches came inside Newcastle’s box on Sunday (WhoScored).
He was primarily involved on the left-hand flank, while he also popped up on the right wing.
Hutton suggested the forward is trying to resolve his “frustration” by getting more involved.
However, he insisted he is more of a “nightmare” to defenders when making off-the-ball runs.
“I think as a striker, if you’re not involved in the game, you go looking for it,” Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“It’s like Harry Kane and what he used to do quite a lot. Trying to get on the ball, getting a little bit frustrated. I think when you’ve got the players round about you – Bowen, Benrahma, Fornals – allow them to do that work.
“Rice driving forward with the ball, allow them to do what they’re good at. You concentrate on being in the box and getting on the end of things.
“If he’s always playing on the shoulder of the last defender he’s a nightmare to pick up. He’s got the power, the pace and the trickery to beat you. Concentrate on being there.
“I think it’s probably just a little bit of frustration that’s moving him about the pitch and trying to get on the ball a little bit more.”
Antonio has scored just twice in his last 17 league appearances.
He has netted nine times and contributed eight assists in 29 games across all competitions.
In other news, West Ham hailed for “very clever move” as top-level talks reported.