Julen Lopetegui must hook Michail Antonio at HT in West Ham United v Crystal Palace
Harri Burton
Sat 24 August 2024 15:47, UK
Julen Lopetegui must hook Michail Antonio during the half-time break if West Ham are to avoid defeat against Crystal Palace on Saturday (24 August).
Despite the signing of Euro 2024 hero Niclas Fullkrug for £27million this summer [BBC Sport], the 34-year-old striker has been given the nod in both Premier League matches so far.
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Antonio lacked imagination during the Hammers’ 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on the opening match of the season, and despite this, was still started against Oliver Glasner’s side alongside Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen.
Lopetegui’s decision seemed to immediately backfire after Antonio missed a golden opportunity in the fourth minute at Selhurst Park, which would have been key considering the Palace’s plethora of chances.
The Jamaican international, who notched six goals in the league last season, missed a header from inside the six-yard area, skewing an effort wide with an xG of 0.51 [FotMob]. He, and Lopetegui, may live to regret that.
Julen Lopetegui must hook Michail Antonio in West Ham United v Crystal Palace
If the Hammers want to claim all three points against the Eagles, Fullkrug must enter the field of play in place of Antonio, and get him straight into the action against Palace’s back-three.
Antonio’s impact in the game has been extremely limited, touching the ball just 13 times [FotMob]. Although he has been able to unleash two shots, his lack of accuracy could come back to haunt the visitors.
West Ham Julen Lopetegui
New West Ham head coach Julen Lopetegui
Bringing Fullkrug on at half-time will offer Lopetegui’s men, especially the wingers, a new dynamic to their attacking build-up, working off the gigantic figure before feeding passes to the flanks.
The Hammers have already played 17 accurate long balls, as per FotMob, though that is not Antonio’s strength. Fullkrug, on the other hand, would see the launches upfield as his bread and butter, being able to bully the Palace defence.
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