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the exile 1:55 Sat Apr 3
The Antonio dilemma (Out for rest of season)

Two dilemmas, really. The first is about his playing style. He clearly hasn't been at his best since returning from his last injury. Rather than putting this down to a loss of form, I would say that it's because he has been playing within himself, holding a bit back. This is understandable - his hamstrings are clearly very fragile. What I don't know is whether he is choosing to play like that or whether he is being instructed to do it. The problem is that when he plays like this he is only half the player that he could be - the full-on, balls-out, chase any ball and scare any defender player that we have come to know and love. So how would you want him to play - the 100% version who is liable to ping his hamstring or the 80% version who seems distinctly average?

The other dilemma is where to play him next season. I am assuming that our top, top priority in the summer transfer window is to get a proper, out-and-out striker, and I'm sure we will do exactly that. I'm also assuming that we will be saying goodbye to at least two out of Yarmolenko, Anderson and Lanzini and bringing in at least one other player who can play anywhere across a front three. So where does that leave Antonio? Should he remain as first choice striker (depending on who comes in), 2nd choice striker, one of a front two, or should he return to playing on one of the wings? Personally I would like to see him back on the wing, playing balls-out for an hour before being replaced by someone like Bowen or Benrahma. My view is that we should try to look after him by limiting his playing time, rather than getting him to hold back. The only Antonio worth having is the full-on version.

Darby_ 4:07 Sat Apr 3
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

As good as Antonio is, it’s maybe a bit much to allow someone so injury prone to become so central to the way we play. He always comes back from injury slowly, so an injury could have him playing below par for weeks or months even after he’s back.

The other problem is that his playing style is so unusual, that it’s difficult to find a replacement for him. Excellent with his back to goal, strong, holds the ball up and lays it off, fast, can ghost past players with ease. A player like that under the age of 30 would cost a mint.

I think because he’s so fragile, I’d put him on the wing and bring a a new striker in. But if we did, we’d probably have to change the way we play a little bit. Maybe not so much blitzkrieg counterattacking.

⚒️ 4:10 Sat Apr 3
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

We just need to sign another CF to take the strain off him.

That’s all there is to it.

master 4:21 Sat Apr 3
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

This Diange fella at West Brom seems a decent player with similar attributes to Antonio.

LeroysBoots 4:30 Sat Apr 3
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

Just the one ?, We need at least 2 more

LeroysBoots 4:32 Sat Apr 3
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

There is so much wrong with our squad it's not even funny anymore, and highlights the monumental achievement of Moyes to get us to 5th

⚒️ 5:11 Sat Apr 3
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

And I’ve seen a few posts on this forum saying that if/when we sign a striker we should put Antonio back out wide which is just ludicrous seeing as we’ve stumbled upon his best position.

We just need at least 1 other striker who can come into the team both alongside and in place of Antonio, thus taking the strain off him.

GreenStreetPlayer 6:09 Sat Apr 3
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

I’d try him right mid again where he started until Bilic nearly destroyed him trying to make a wing back out of him.
He scored a lot of goals from that position, arriving late in the box unmarked and not much attention on him.
Desperately need a couple of strikers.

Vexed 6:27 Sat Apr 3
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

Not really a dilemma is it?

We have one striker. He plays every game. If we buy a better one they fucking play instead. If Antonio is better on the wing than the others then he plays there. If not he's on the bench.

Yeah really complicated that, you overly fussy KUMB escapee cunt.

the exile 6:53 Sat Apr 3
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

That's fine, Vexed, but all you have to do is state your opinion and then fuck off. Gawd knows why you always have to make such a fucking drama out of it. Btw, never been on kumb.

Dandy Lyon 9:54 Sat Apr 3
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

If Antonio is played than anything other than a sub coming on for the last 15-20mins next season then I can’t see us being better than lower mid table.


That’s what he needs to be seen as. Hopefully we’re looking for a new first and second choice striker with Antonio 3rd choice.

Sven Roeder 10:20 Sat Apr 3
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

We need 3 strikers who are ready to play
Antonio is capable of 20 starts a season
Noone plays on the 'WING' any more
We need to bomb Yarmolenko ,Anderson & Lanzini out of the club
We are 4 players short of a proper squad at the moment and for once have been fortunate with injuries
Maybe some of those 7 players we need come from the overall squad ... ie Coventry?... but otherwise we need to buy them
If we qualify for Europe and don't do that we will be back in the bottom 6
If Rice or Soucek miss a game I'm not sure we can beat anyone

Alex Bunbury 11:22 Sat Apr 3
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

I sometimes think it is more a question of rhythm and confidence. Missing games and not being able to play can mean a player loses a little bit of sharpness and confidence levels can drop. I think part of Antonio’s drop off is due to this but no doubt we need a couple of extra strikers next season, particularly, if we are playing in Europe. Personally, I see Antonio as a striker now, who can also player wider if needed.

ChillTheKeel 10:57 Sun Apr 4
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

"overly fussy KUMB escapee cunt".

*titters

⚒️ 12:34 Tue Apr 6
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

Showed just how good a CF he is tonight. Can’t believe people want him shunted back out wide.

Shame he has hamstrings made of stingy ham, mind you.

the exile 1:03 Tue Apr 6
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

Tonight he kind of illustrated what I was saying. Absolutely superb, full-on performance and he goes and tweaks his hamstring. Bit of a problem for us now - hopefully we'll have a squad next season.

Lily Hammer 1:05 Tue Apr 6
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

He was looking back to his best today, so a real kick in the nuts that he’s injured again. I pray it was just an extra precautious measure taking him off and he’s ok to play vs Leicester.

gph 1:12 Tue Apr 6
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

One thing puzzles me - why has it taken the collective minds of football management so long to realise that there's such a good striker in there?

the exile 2:11 Tue Apr 6
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

gph - that's only partly true. He has improved his game almost beyond recognition since he joined West Ham.

gph 2:34 Tue Apr 6
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

Isn't it part of the manager's job to see what's hidden?

See Greenwood and Geoff Hurst (originally a centre-back, who realised himself that Bobby Moore's presence meant he'd have to move into midfield - but Greenwood pushed him even further forward)

⚒️ 2:40 Tue Apr 6
Re: The Antonio dilemma.

You could say the same about Arnautovic. The Special One had him at Inter but it was Moyes who saw the potential for him to be a CF.

It’s obviously a strength of Moyes’ as he done it at Everton with Cahill and Felliani.

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