Alious
As West Ham United prepare for their London derby against Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday, an unexpected twist in their striker situation might prove serendipitous. The continued absence of Niclas Fullkrug, who remains sidelined after experiencing a setback in his recovery process according to Alex Crook, has forced Julen Lopetegui to reconsider his attacking options.
The manager faces a tactical dilemma with two primary alternatives: deploying Jarrod Bowen in an improvised striker role, a position where he has previously demonstrated considerable effectiveness, or turning to the experienced Michail Antonio. The latter option has gained particular relevance following Antonio’s recent performance against Ipswich Town, where he finally broke a six-game goalless streak by finding the net early in their commanding 4-1 victory.
What makes Antonio’s potential selection especially intriguing is his remarkable record against Tottenham. The 34-year-old veteran, who has become synonymous with West Ham since his arrival from Nottingham Forest nine years ago, has demonstrated an uncanny ability to trouble Spurs’ defense throughout his career. His statistical record speaks volumes – six goals in 14 appearances against Tottenham represents his highest scoring tally against any Premier League opposition, according to Transfermarkt.
The situation presents an interesting deviation from West Ham’s original plans to gradually phase Antonio out of the first-team picture. While Danny Ings recently proved his worth with a crucial 95th-minute equalizer against Fulham, he appears to remain peripheral in Lopetegui’s considerations and is likely to continue his role as a backup option during Fullkrug’s absence.
Antonio’s potential involvement could prove particularly strategic given the attacking dynamics at West Ham’s disposal. His physical presence and hold-up play could serve as an ideal focal point for the creative talents of Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, and Mohammed Kudus to operate around. This combination might offer the perfect blueprint for troubling Ange Postecoglou’s side in their own territory.
The circumstances have essentially handed Lopetegui an opportunity to deploy what could be considered a secret weapon against their London rivals. Antonio’s proven track record against Tottenham, combined with his recent return to scoring form, suggests that what might have initially seemed like a forced selection could turn out to be a tactical masterstroke. His ability to impose himself physically on defenses and his historical success against Spurs make him a particularly intriguing option for what could be one of his final appearances in such a significant derby fixture.
Alious
