---
title: "Paul Merson lauds in form West Ham star Michail Antonio"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/08/29/paul-merson-lauds-in-form-west-ham-star-michail-antonio/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-08-29T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-08-29T07:00:00Z"
---

# Paul Merson lauds in form West Ham star Michail Antonio

Former Premier League attacking midfielder Paul Merson has been singing the praises of in form [West Ham](https://readwestham.com/2021/08/28/virals-west-ham-striker-mipo-odubeko-attracts-serious-attention/) forward [Michail Antonio](https://readwestham.com/2021/08/26/harry-redknapp-lauds-unplayable-michail-antonio/).

The 31-year-old ace has made a flying start to the 2021/22 campaign and took his personal [goal contribution tally](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58289647) to seven from three matches on Saturday afternoon.

Albeit not enough to secure all three points, Antonio [assisted Pablo Fornals’ opener](https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/august/29-august/extended-highlights-west-ham-united-2-2-crystal-palace) against Crystal Palace before restoring the lead at the London Stadium momentarily.

Speaking on [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/) ahead of the clash (via [Football Daily](https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1431615411917926404) on Twitter), Merson was in awe of the talismanic frontman.

> I’m a massive fan, I really am. I like everything about him as I say. If I’m a centre half I do not want to play against him.

Antonio now averages a remarkable 8.47 ([Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/michail-antonio/47772)) having earned an 8.50 rating in the 2-2 draw with the Eagles.

So far this season the soon to be Jamaica international has [scored four and assisted three goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/michail-antonio/leistungsdaten/spieler/104124) and is in danger of eclipsing the 15 goal contributions achieved last term prior to Christmas.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

The decision to [covert Antonio into a recognised striker](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/12202644/michail-antonio-exclusive-west-ham-striker-explains-how-he-transformed-himself-into-their-star-forward) has turned out to be a masterstroke

Previously a [versatile operator](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/michail-antonio-west-ham-premier-league-striker-goals-b952048.html) without a position to call home, the Londoner has never looked back following the shift.

Despite the star performance, a draw was a fair result as West Ham struggled defensively – something David Moyes will hope the [confirmed arrival of Kurt Zouma](https://twitter.com/WestHam/status/1431700613092552720) can rectify.