West Ham forward Michail Antonio had another quiet game against Manchester City at the weekend.
After a very strong start to the season, when he managed to bag four goals and three assists in his first three league games, he has now made just one goal contribution since the end of September.
Supporters on Twitter have been reflecting on Antonio’s poor form, with many feeling that the lack of competition up front may be leading to some complacency:
Drops far to many 2/10 performances as he knows he starts every week
— Joe Halford (@joehalford1990) November 28, 2021
Not been at his best think lack of competition isn’t helping
— Rene van Der Linden ⚒ (@renvdl78irons) November 28, 2021
Hes been a bit isolated and looks tired
— Jordan brown (@Jordanbrown820) November 28, 2021
EXTREMELY poor.
— Malte ⚒ (@MalteWHUFC) November 28, 2021
Needs competition
— ⚒ Mike ⚒ (@WestHamDriver) November 28, 2021
The goals have slightly dried up and so his going looking for the ball mainly by drifting out wide.. just needs to be told/remember to get in the box and do what he does best there! Let the creators create the chances for you
— Butler⚒ (@butler__1995) November 28, 2021
Knackered and disinterested partly as he’s got no competition
— Joe (@jjscoyi) November 28, 2021
Shocking
— Josh⚒🏴 (@JoshVernege) November 28, 2021
Glaringly obvious he needs another striker to take some of the weight off him!
— Colin Lyne (@ColinLyne6) November 28, 2021
Zero competition is hurting him, he knows whatever happens he is playing
— Stuart Dillon #GSBout (@StuartDillon1) November 28, 2021
There is no doubt that Hammers boss David Moyes will be prioritising a new number nine when the January transfer window opens and the drop in Antonio’s performance levels will only accelerate the club’s plans.
At the moment, it appears that FC Basel’s Arthur Cabral is the frontrunner to be brought in but West Ham have also been linked with Arsenal pair Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun, Clermont’s Mohamed Bayo and Torino’s Andrea Belotti.