A section of West Ham United fans have taken to Twitter to express their frustration after Michail Antonio revealed he is determined to keep his place in the team this season.
The Hammers opened their 2018/2019 season with a heavy 4-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday, and the midfielder has since vowed to keep his place in the team, as reported on the club’s official website.
Michail Antonio is determined to keep his place in the team, despite competition for places this season… https://t.co/nQ8BziPsrt
— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 13, 2018
The right-sided flyer – who is on £70,000-a-week [Spotrac] – was named in boss Manuel Pellegrini’s starting line-up, but the fans thought that he failed to make an impact in their season opener. They slammed him in comments that included “I don’t want to see him anywhere near that pitch” and “he couldn’t be bothered.”
Forever West Ham has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
It might help if he tried running back, instead of standing on half way line with his hands on his hips, like he did for 2nd goal yesterday. He was awful yesterday, absolutely staggered he stayed on the pitch.
— Gary Mills ⚒ (@GaryMillsy) August 13, 2018
He was blowing after 20 mins and lost the ball more times then I am Count, can’t be in that 1st 11 when everyone is fit
— Kristian Jones (@KrisJones_93) August 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/PellegriniFC/status/1028940991909322753
Tell him to actually press with the team then! Anderson and arnautovic are pressing he's standing by the touchline with his hands on his hips. Lazy, no positional sense and looks so unfit.
— aaron bowden (@AaronBowden_) August 13, 2018
Should probably play better then.
— Mark Harrison (@MarkHarrison23) August 13, 2018
His body language throughout the game was as if he couldn’t be bothered.
— Steve Eisner (@1westhamfan) August 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/ArasorHD/status/1028941001178722304
OPINION
West Ham fans do not look pleased that Antonio has vowed to fight for his place in the first team despite all of the competition for places. He failed to make an impact in their heavy defeat against Liverpool, and they have recognised that he needs to do better if he wants to be considered a regular first teamer. He is more than entitled to say that he wants to fight for his place, but based on his lacklustre display the other day, he should be dropped for the next game against Bournemouth. Liverpool were obviously a tough test for the first game, but this does not matter – he needs to be up to scratch, which the supporters evidently believe he is not. The Hammers need to get some points on the board, and it is implied that the club faithful do not think that will happen with Antonio in the team.
