The Hammer Head – Michail Antonio

Heading Heroics

Fresh from hammering home his 5^th header of the season, Michail Antonio, is fast becoming the head Hammer, at London’s Olympic Stadium. The mercurial winger has now scored 5 goals this season, all of which have come from his head. His scintillating form has resulted in him scoring in 4 Premier League games on the trot. This is despite the fact that he played at right wing-back for the first two games of the season.

The winger has amassed 20 goal attempts, that’s an attempt every 19.1 minutes. 15 of those attempts have been from inside the box (joint top with Zlatan Ibrahimović). While he has also created 4 chances but is yet to register an assist.

Additionally, there seems to be a sublime link up between Michail Antonio and Dimitri Payet. The ever impressive Frenchman has assisted 3 of his 5 goals.

Hammers Defensive Woes

While it’s all smiles on the flanks for the Hammers, its dire straits at the back.West Ham have now conceded 13 goals in their 5 Premier League games so far this season, and a worrying 11 in their last 3 games. West Ham manager, Slaven Bilic, has some major decisions to make to fix this leaky defence, and get the Hammers season back on track.

The solution could lie in deploying man of the moment, Michail Antionio, at right wing-back. He was installed there for the first two games of the season. During his time there, the Hammers only conceded only 2 goals.  This however, comes at a price, as his attacking threat will be significantly diminished.

England Cap?

No matter where he plays on Sunday vs Southampton, what cannot be ignored, is Michail Antonio’s sensational form. There were moans and groans from the hoards of so called football ‘experts’, when he was overlooked for the 2016 European Championship’s in France, by then England boss, Roy Hodgson.

He has since been included in Sam Allardyce’s squad for the 2018 World Cup qualification game against Slovakia, but did not get his first cap.

There is however, little doubt that a first England cap is just around the corner. While there is potential legendary status amoung the Hammers faithful, if he can continue his sumptuous form.