Michail Antonio has insisted that there are plenty of positives for West Ham to take from the weekend’s narrow defeat to Southampton, and says the players must ‘pick ourselves up and go again’.
The defeat was the Hammers’ second in the space of week having lost to Manchester United 4-0 last weekend, however this Saturday’s clash was a far closer affair.
Goals from Manolo Gabbiadini and Dusan Tadic put the hosts 2-0 up, before a Javier Hernandez brace levelled the score for a ten-man West Ham who had seen Marko Anautovic sent off just past the half hour mark.
Only a late Charlie Austin penalty denied Slaven Bilic’s side a crucial point, however Antonio – who was returning to action for the first time since April – says the Hammers should not be disheartened.
“It was devastating, really, we managed to get back to 2-2 from 2-0 down, but what a way to lose it!” said Antonio speaking on whufc.com after the game.
“I’m not going to make any comments about what actually happened, but the boys were devastated to lose it and we are just going to have to pick ourselves up and go again.
“There were loads of positives we can take from the game, especially from the second half, so we’re going to take them away and get ready for Newcastle.”
Antonio had been out of action since April with injury, but was pleased personally to make his comeback after a number of months on the sidelines, and hopes to keep improving as the weeks go on.
“We have just got to move forward. I’m getting back to my fitness and I’m starting to look sharp like I was at the beginning of last season, so hopefully I can keep progressing with that and start putting the ball in the back of the net.”
