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KingandPaynter 10:45 Wed Apr 13
Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

He was making a big difference when played up front

No wins and lots of goals conceded says it all

Fifth Column 10:00 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

I was surprised Byram got no game time today. Seemed like the ideal opportunity, especially at three up.

Grumpster 9:19 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

I could be wrong though, my memory is pretty dire nowadays!!

Grumpster 9:18 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

Everton had him marked down as back up for next season which he didn't want.

Private Dancer 9:13 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

Wasn't Byram told he would be first choice RB and was one of the reasons why he chose us over the Toffees?

Grumpster 9:07 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

Byram was never bought for this season, so talk of him not being fancied is just daft, as he's already proved in his handful of games what a good player he is.

theaxeman 8:55 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

I like him at rightback, i think his pace and power from deep is a real asset, hopefully he will learn positional sense as he goes along.i love the boy he has a tremendous attitude but i think maybe lacks a little finesse when he hasnt got the run on someone.

Eddie B 8:40 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

Getting the feeling Bilic doesn't fancy Byram all that much.

I.want.that.one 8:19 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

I don't know if it's his baby face but I'm slightly uneasy about Byram. Am happy with Antonio staying there for the moment until we bring in a senior right back to work with Byram.

Maybe Bilic sees Antonio as a future wing back?

Grumpster 7:55 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

I want him further up with byram behind him, but blimey O'Reilly we're 4 points behind arsenal after 34 games which is a monumental achievement.

Slav can stick him goal if he wants, in bilic we must trust.

HairyHammer 7:50 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

Agree, but the lad can play anywhere and brilliantly, did it again last night.
His commitment is beyond belief absolute star material, but would I rather have him scoring goals and sweeping forward and someone else defending YES it is not his defending it is more that there is no one of his quality further up to benefit from the kid makes things happen, right now he is my favourite player.

Brucies_Star_Prize 1:47 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

Baggins

I agree insofar that I'd rather have a specialist right back playing there. It's just I think Antonio is as good, if not better, than the other options currently available.

Spandex Sidney 1:44 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

I hope Terry's right and next season we will see Byram being the new Cresswell

zico 1:43 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

Watching the game tonight it certainly shows how much more dangerous we look with Antonio in an advanced role. He won the penalty through sheer power and pace and got brought down. He can deliver a good ball as well thus meaning good service for Carroll/Sakho.

He isn't a right back because of his positional sense and over exuberance in getting a little too tight but I understand Bilic has not got a hatful of options there.

The great thing is that if we can get a top class right back for next season Antonios non stop running, power and pace will also be invaluable cover to whoever the right back is and that can only make our right flank stronger. What is slightly confusing is that the added cover Antonio offers might be ideal support for Byram if he needs a little support.

terry-h 1:39 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

Bollocks joey.
Byram has been cup-tied,suspended,and injured in the short period he's been at the club. I'm guessing Bilic is waiting patiently before unleashing him on the West Ham public.

joey5000 1:34 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

Byram must look like utter shit in training.

fraser 1:30 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

Our best right back?

Caught out of position so many times, he isn't and will never be a right back.

Baggins 1:25 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

Brucie - I think there is lots to suggest he shouldn't be playing there. Don't misunderstand, I think he has done a magnificent job there and his workrate and effort cannot be faulted. He has also caused teams problems and created plenty of chances from that position.

But he isn't a right back and never will be. Better teams will work that out and will focus on exploiting his lack of defensive skills, as Arsenal and Man United did.

We need a proper right back. Byram can be the back up choice and competition. If you want to be finishing top six, your right back shouldn't be a bloke who was playing up front six months ago.

VirginiaHam 1:21 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

I think we've been fucked several times over, and there's nothing we or Slav can do.

CJ started and was awful, then thankfully injured himself. Tomkins managed to get injured too so we were left with JOB, Byram and a very emergency stand in Antonio.

What do you do from there, given Byram was both cup tied and injured, and JOB injured himself?

It is what it is. Sangfroid......

Brucies_Star_Prize 1:15 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

Whilst I think we miss Antonio playing in a more advanced role, I also think he's our best right back. It looks like Bilic thinks so also.

When we bought Byram, a friend of mine who follows Leeds and has brothers who play there, said he was one for the future but wasn't ready for our first team. Tomkins has done ok at right back but looked very poor since he returned to the team.

So as much as we miss Antonio on the wing, I don't think there's anything to suggest he shouldn't be playing right back.

ironsofcanada 1:13 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

I would be more concerned about Byram doing the same, who is young and did not look half bad.

Spandex Sidney 1:08 Thu Apr 21
Re: Antonio at Right Back has lost the team its momentum

I'd love us to get a quality RB in the summer, I agree it's a priority because Antonio offers so much more up the pitch.
My concern is that he'll be pissed off at RB and want a move

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