Any article involving Michail Antonio at West Ham over the last couple of years is usually caveated with the words ‘great servant, but’.
Michail Antonio has been West Ham’s man for all seasons – and positions – for the best part of a decade now.
Incredibly, the Hammers have signed 53 strikers since David Sullivan arrived at the club in 2010.
Not all of those 53 signings have been flops. But plenty have struggled or spent too much time injured.
Those who have hit it off haven’t stuck around long enough either.
Fast forward 14 years years from Sullivan’s arrival in east London and West Ham find themselves seemingly stuck in an all too familiar cycle.
After nine signings, £155m spent and another big name striker arrival in the shape of Niclas Fullkrug, Antonio is still leading the line for the Irons.
It’s like groundhog day for West Ham fans.
And many of them are no afraid to vent their dissatisfaction about it on social media.
West Ham’s record Premier League goalscorer deserves respect.
Astonishing revelation emerges about Antonio
He has scored some seriously important goals for this club and been a magnificent servant over nearly 10 years.
It should also be said that Antonio – who turns 35 this season – is not the one renewing his own contract or picking himself up front.
Antonio used to be so effective as a blunt instrument giving opposition defenders nightmares.
Despite the arrival of Fullkrug, Julen Lopetegui has given Antonio the chance to keep his starting spot this season.
Yet his performances, attitude and effort levels have left a lot to be desired.
Lopetegui was seen berating Antonio for lazy and sloppy play at Fulham before hauling the Jamaican off at half-time.
As a result, he lost his place for games against Chelsea and Liverpool.
A bright cameo at Anfield saw Antonio reinstated to the starting XI for the game at Brentford. Much to the frustration of many Hammers fans, who wanted to see Jarrod Bowen up top.
While his workrate was much improved, Antonio offered little and is simply not up to being a bona fide Premier League level starting striker.
He did, though, play a big part in West Ham’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw.
It was Antonio’s shot that was blocked and fell to Tomas Soucek to prod home.
Many of the Hammers faithful believe the striker is the latest example of West Ham holding on to a player for too long.
Now an astonishing revelation has emerged about Antonio that raises a big West Ham question.
West Ham’s 100 goal contribution man raises big question
It has been revealed that Antonio has become the first ever player to be directly involved in 100 Premier League goals for West Ham.
Antonio has 67 goals and 33 assists to his name since signing for the Hammers from Nottingham Forest for a bargain £7.5m.
So the club’s all-time Prem top goalscorer has broken yet another record.
It begs the question, should Antonio now be considered a genuine West Ham legend?
Many seem reluctant to given the former non-league star that status.
Antonio will be the first to admit he is not the most graceful or easy on the eye.
That’s why his performances are criticised if fans don’t feel he is doing enough to make up for it in other ways.
There is no doubting Antonio is a Hammers cult hero.
That is beyond question.
Cult hero of certified Hammers legend?
But the question of legend status is one that continues to divide opinion.
One look at social media during and after West Ham games will provide all the evidence needed on that score.
Antonio scored just eight goals in all competitions for West Ham last season, only seven the season before that and has no goals so far this term. Saturday’s contribution was his first assist of the campaign.
They say all good things come to an end. And there is no doubting his effectiveness has waned with age.
This looks almost certain to be Antonio’s last season with the Hammers.
Perhaps with the passing of time after his departure Antonio will get greater respect and be considered a legend.
What he does in this final season may be decisive in that regard.
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