Antonio Must Get His Head Right If He Wants To Reach His Potential

The popular winger has lost his way this season after being linked with a move

- Brian Penn

In a game dominated by turbo-charged egos, Michail Antonio was the proverbial breath of fresh air.

Beginning at non-league Tooting and Mitcham, Antonio plied his trade as a journeyman footballer, passing through seven league clubs before signing for West Ham in September 2015.

It was a Jamie Vardystyle climb through the lower leagues that could only endear him to fans. He immediately won respect, patiently waiting as he stood on the fringes of the first team.

Antonio subsequently played in a number of positions including wing back, midfield, right back and striker. All of which he did without complaint or dissent.

Antonio’s consistency rightly earned him Hammer of the Year last season. He was seemingly, a club legend waiting to be crowned.

But a malaise has descended on the big man that brings into question his future at the club.

Antonio’s season has been fairly wretched and curiously marked by the two Crystal Palace fixtures.

In October, the great corner flag scandal unfairly marked him as a pariah. Leading 2-1 with the final minutes ebbing away, he took the ball to the corner flag and delivered a weak cross that lost possession.

A swift move upfield resulted in a Palace equaliser, robbing the Hammers of two points.

Reaction in the media was astonishing. Garth Crooks felt Antonio should train with the Academy players for four weeks to atone for his schoolboy error.

How crass and judgmental, moreover why let 10 players off the hook as if they were totally blameless?