West Ham United

Michail Antonio: 'West Ham United must focus on football'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 05 February 2018

West Ham United midfielder Michail Antonio says that he and his teammates must continue to focus on football, rather than being distracted by off-the-field unrest.

Midfielder Michail Antonio has acknowledged that he and his West Ham United teammates cannot become distracted by tension off the pitch.

In recent weeks, some of the club's supporters have called for changes to be made on the board, while recruitment director Tony Henry has been sacked for comments allegedly made regarding African players.

However, with the club sitting just three points above the relegation zone, Antonio wants the players to take care of ensuring that the club remain in the Premier League.

The 27-year-old told the London Evening Standard: "It happens more at West Ham than any other club.

"We all want to turn up for work and not have the hassle of people asking us what is going on but it is part and parcel of the game and we can't let that affect us, so we keep moving on.

"Before the Brighton game we had gone six games unbeaten in the Premier League. We don't think about relegation. With the players we have, we are not looking down, we are looking up to see where we can go."

West Ham are without a win in four matches in all competitions.