Bench Winger: Michail Antonio
- Joined West Ham: September 2015
- Fee: £7 from Nottingham Forest
- Debut: September 19, 2015
- HOTY: Winner (2017); Runner-Up (2016)
- Stats: 161 appearances; 41 goals; 22 assists
Michail Antonio came over to West Ham at the beginning of the 2015-16 season from Nottingham Forest as a relative unknown. His debut came during the famous win against Manchester City at the Etihad.
Antonio slowly but surely earned himself more and more minutes as he put in solid performances coming off the bench. His first MOTM performance came against Southampton at home when he scored one of the most unusual goals with his head as he was falling to the ground.
Known for his unique goal celebrations, fans grew enamored with Antonio over time due to this attacking style of play which utilizes his pure strength and speed. In addition, Antonio has also given his all for the club every time he steps out on the pitch.
On tap of all of that, Antonio has proven to be a very effective attacking player. He currently ranks 4th most goals in West Ham Premier League history and only needs nine more to supplant Paolo Di Canio for the record. Furthermore, he is always good for a goal against Spurs as the man has repeatedly scored big goals against the Hammers’ archrival.
While his injury history is something to be worried about, Antonio has always performed when asked to, and at many different positions. He’s played striker, winger, and right back during his time with the club, a time that has seen him score some memorable goals and give everything for the shirt – the main reasons why all West Ham fans love Michail Antonio.
Bench Winger: Trevor Sinclair
- Joined West Ham: January 1998
- Fee: £2.3 from QPR
- Debut: January 31, 1998
- HOTY: Runner-Up (2000)
- Stats: 196 appearances; 38 goals; 19 assists
Trevor Sinclair came over to West Ham from west London club QPR during the January transfer window of 1998, with Ian Dowie and Keith Rowland going the other way to Loftus Road. He debuted for the club on January 31 of that year and made an immediate impact.
Sinclair scored seven goals in his first fourteen games with the Hammers and was an instrumental piece to West Ham’s 1997-98 team that finished 8th place. He went onto become a regular on the right wing over the next couple of seasons before a serious knee injury kept him out during the last half of the 2000-01 season.
Sinclair made the switch to the left wing the following season, a position he made his own and played exceptionally well in, enough to earn a spot in the England squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He even went onto start a few games for England as they inevitably lost in the quarterfinals of that tournament.
Like many on the 2002-03 West Ham team, Sinclair was sold after that season as the team got relegated. Manchester City ended up buying him for £3.3 million.
At the end of the day, Sinclair is most remembered for two things. First, he has been the most outspoken former West Ham player against the current West Ham board, making him a universal fan favorite. Second, he assisted that goal to Paolo Di Canio, the goal that would eventually be determined as the best Premier League goal of the decade.