Numerous West Ham fans have been handed an opportunity to once again bemoan the lack of a January striker signing after David Moyes confirmed the ‘close call’ which awaits Michail Antonio‘s availability.
Speaking ahead of the Hammers’ trip to his former stomping ground Old Trafford on Tuesday to face Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round, Moyes confirmed that his talismanic 30-year-old was a doubt for the trip due to tiredness.
Antonio was replaced in the 74th minute during West Ham’s goalless draw against Fulham on Saturday, having looked short on his usual high intensity throughout the match.
Moyes said: “He’s still fatigued so it will be a close call whether he makes it or not. We’ll need to assess him tomorrow to see if he’s able to play.”
Having not signed a backup striker after allowing Sebastien Haller to leave, Moyes’ options are limited and the manager could be forced to play a forward out of position, or possibly draw on young striker Ademipo Odubeko.
Unsurprisingly, plenty of the Irons faithful have given their thoughts on Twitter and, in the main, they are all saying the same thing…
Twitter: @RoshaneSport If only there was a transfer window recently that could have prevented Antonio being fatigued
(@adambrown93)
Twitter: @RoshaneSport If only we signed a striker when we had a whole month to do so not like everyone saw this coming
Twitter: And it begins… https://t.co/77xotffzbV (@ElliotBuckley94)
Twitter: Pretends to be shocked * https://t.co/gn1HpPnj1U (@_WestHamReport)
Twitter: Absolutely baffling still the decision not to buy or loan a striker in January. Maddening. #WHUFC https://t.co/H9FyklCR6S (@mikecawston)
Twitter: We didn’t need a striker though, did we?
