Pundit defends David Moyes following Michail Antonio criticism

West Ham manager David Moyes appeared to criticise talismanic striker Michail Antonio for a dip in form following the defeat against Tottenham. 

The Hammers were soundly beaten 3-1 by their London rivals and the 31-year-old frontman was once again off target in front of goal. 

Antonio has now gone 10 Premier League games without a goal and Moyes called out the Jamaican’s form. 

Speaking after the match, the Scot admitted that the usually reliable ace was perhaps ‘struggling with confidence’ following a barron run. 

However, talkSPORT show host Simon Jordan defender Moyes’ choice of words. 

“I think the nature of the relationship he has with the players is clearly a solid one. I think he’s not going into Antonio, he’s talking to a player who’s operating at a high level and reminding him he wants him to continue operating at that level. I think there’s nothing wrong with what he said. I think Antonio is a real talisman for West Ham, not just in his goal output but in his play full stop. So he’s just stating the obvious.”

So far this season Antonio has scored 10 times and registered another 10 assists in 36 appearances across all competitions. 

There can be little doubt that the £10.8million valued ace is enduring a loss of confidence in his goalscoring ability. 

Albeit not a natural finisher, Moyes and co have helped transform Antonio into a genuine goal-getter in his later career. 

These issues are exasperated when West Ham’s second most lethal threat, Jarrod Bowen, is indisposed through injury.