Is it just a coincidence that virtually EVERY West Ham player who receives a new 'enhanced' contract then proceeds to have a 'falling off the cliff' experience with their form? For as long as we can remember there has been a constant stream of players who are offered new contracts in order to fend off unwelcome transfer enquiries, going back as far as Winston Reid, or even further back if you want, to players like Herita Illunga!
Michail Antonio recently signed a contract extension on improved terms, then promptly firmed up his affiliation with the Jamaican National football team by flying across the globe to represent them. Mikey is set to be called up by Jamaica in March to play three games on international duty, these games will come right at the 'killer' stage of the Premier League season.
We mention Premier League, because that is where Antonio wil be picking up his estimated £90,000 per week, playing for West Ham! Before anyone chimes in with the "It is the right of every player to represent their country" chestnut, they should be mindful of the fact that Mikey WASN'T born in Jamaica.
It may indeed be the right of every player to play for their country, but it is also the right of every fan to expect their players to give their ALL for their club! That doesn't include self gratifying 'jollies' that necessitate travelling right across the World to feature in games that are invariably 'dead rubbers'.
Someone needs to sit down with Mikey and explain to him on which side his bread is buttered, he has fulfilled his 'dream' of representing the place of his parent's birth, but enough is enough. Hammers NEED big MIck to be firing on ALL cylinders, something that is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE for a 31 year old to do if he is off gallivanting around chasing trophies that are never going to be won!
A quick notice of 'retirement' from the international arena is all it takes, no one from the Reggae Boyz would begrudge Antonio. However Hammers fans WILL begrudge the striker if he continues to place country above club, especially as he is London born and bred! - LN
Comments
Agreed
there Lois
Never going to happen.
Never going to happen. Antonio is like a dog with 2 dicks going off to the Caribbean for his Reggae Reggae sauce party. Hes'31 and just found International Football in a lovely climate with a bunch of crazy arsed Jamaicans. Yeah Mon init....!!
yes agree
let him enjoy it while he can its a short career any way, and its not as if he has been banging in the goals for us or jamaica is it?
Mitrovic has broken
The championship goal scoring record this evening,always scored goals for fun,surely he was worth going for in the January transfer market?? He would have run through hoops to play for us imo
strange one Mitrovic, scores
strange one Mitrovic, scores for fun in the chumps but the defenders are so much better in the Prem..flat track bully?
Agree Nev
But surely worth a punt,even as a back up?
Ants & Bowen plucked from the chumps
Yes Mitrovic is a conundrum.
Yes Mitrovic is a conundrum. As Nev says he never really did it in the Prem and more often than not was a 10 minute sub at the end of matches. I've always rated him and a proper physical number 9.