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Michail Antonio was the Beast in West Ham’s 2019-2020 campaign

By Aaron Deanes

West Ham United's English midfielder Michail Antonio celebrates after scoring a goal during the English Premier League football match between Norwich City and West Ham United at Carrow Road in Norwich, eastern England on July 11, 2020. (Photo by Tim Keeton / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by TIM KEETON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
West Ham United's English midfielder Michail Antonio celebrates after scoring a goal during the English Premier League football match between Norwich City and West Ham United at Carrow Road in Norwich, eastern England on July 11, 2020. (Photo by Tim Keeton / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by TIM KEETON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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It’s impossible to talk about Michail Antonio’s 2019/2020 season without focusing on his exploits from Project Restart, but let’s try to start from the beginning.

In August 2019 optimism was sky-high in East London as the club entered into the second year of Manuel Pellegrini’s tenure. After the customary 5-0 drubbing at Manchester City, West Ham had two important fixtures against Brighton and Watford.

In hindsight, it seems easy to recognize that the cracks were already showing in Pellegrini’s vision as the squad had plenty of technical players but lacked the pace and incisiveness to break down their opponents. Against the Seagulls and Hornets, the Irons were really struggling until Michail Antonio came onto the pitch and showed his trademark power and unpredictability.

This once again sparks the age-old Antonio debate: what the hell should we do with him? It’s all for nought as the other constant in his West Ham career rears it’s head against Newport County in the League Cup when Antonio goes down with a serious hamstring injury that will put him out until late November.

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After a few more solid results that hide the weaknesses of the squad, West Ham began to struggle after Fabianski was injured against Bournemouth and his replacement Roberto proves to be genuinely awful. But during this stretch of matches, the squad is clearly missing a player with Antonio’s unique skill set that could have helped to keep West Ham afloat.

When Antonio returned, he was slotted into his now-familiar centre-forward position against Chelsea and was superb as he bullied the Chelsea defenders and David Martin helped lead his boyhood club to victory. It’s to be one of the last positive results of the Pellegrini project and Antonio’s form in December reflects the general malaise in East London.

Antonio misses 4 of the first 5 matches of David Moyes 2.0, but by the time Brighton rolls around on February 1st, he is ready for the healthiest and most in-form stretch of his West Ham career.  It’s worth noting that Moyes subs off an always threatening Antonio for Arthur Masuaku to see the game out but instead the Irons throw away a 3-1 lead against the Seagulls.

For many, the turnaround to West Ham’s season began at Anfield in late February and Antonio was tireless at centre-forward as the club should’ve got something from the eventual champions. The following week he was all over the pitch and slotted home one goal and should’ve had another as the Iron’s beat Southampton 3-1 in a relegation must-win. The last match before the COVID19 break against Arsenal was frustrating as Antonio and Haller weren’t clinical, but the sheer number of chances created was a positive change for the Irons.

LONDON,ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 29: Michail Antonio celebrates scoring the 3rd West Ham goal during the West Ham United v Southampton F.A. Premier League match at the London Stadium on February 29th 2020 in London (Photo by Tom Jenkins/Getty Images)
LONDON,ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 29: Michail Antonio celebrates scoring the 3rd West Ham goal during the West Ham United v Southampton F.A. Premier League match at the London Stadium on February 29th 2020 in London (Photo by Tom Jenkins/Getty Images) /

There’s no need to bore everyone with the details of Antonio’s legendary efforts in June and July as he quite literally fired the Hammers to safety. They will be part of club lore for quite some time. That he was able to play 1,175 out of a possible 1,260 minutes from the Brighton game onward reflects both an improvement in his fitness as well as how important Antonio is for West Ham.

The big question still remains for David Moyes going into next season: what the hell do we do with Antonio? It seems crazy to talk about shifting the reigning Premier League Player of the Month out of centre-forward, but with £45million Sebastian Haller on the bench Moyes and his staff will be forced to make some tough decisions.

Next. A positive look at West Ham United’s transfer window so far. dark

Moyes has seemed to find his preferred formation with 4-2-3-1, but with the club not in a relegation battle, he could decide to play a little more expansive with Haller and Antonio upfront. Perhaps a 4-3-3 with Antonio, Haller and Bowen.

Season Grade: A

Antonio could also shift to left-wing in the current set-up. Or maybe Antonio at centre-forward is exactly the type of player West Ham needs. With the shortened preseason, supporters won’t have to wait too long for answers.