MX23RW : Thursday, July 4 04:41:27| >> :120:24066:24066:

David Moyes backs Michail Antonio to break West Ham goalscoring record

David Moyes backs Michail Antonio to break West Ham goalscoring record
© Reuters
Michail Antonio is currently level with former Hammers favourite Paolo Di Canio on 47 Premier League goals.

David Moyes has tipped the "unique" Michail Antonio to smash West Ham's Premier League goalscoring record.

Antonio moved level with former Hammers favourite Paolo Di Canio on 47 goals with his strike in last weekend's 4-2 win at Newcastle.

Boss Moyes is hoping the powerhouse winger-turned-striker can go out in front on his own by finding the net against Leicester on Monday night.

"He's joint top now and because of that I am sure Micky will break the record," said Moyes.

"If it happens this Monday night it would be great but if it is not this Monday I am sure it will be in the near future.

"I think Mick will see it as a big deal and so he should do because West Ham, if you look through the eras, have had so many great players.

"So I think that for Micky to have the chance to do it, having started as a winger and then full-back and wing-back, for this period in his career he is a centre-forward so I hope he gets in front by about 20 or 30 goals ahead of Paolo Di Canio. I hope he makes it very difficult for anyone to catch him."

Antonio missed large chunks of last season with hamstring trouble, but he remains West Ham's only senior striker after a frustrating transfer window thus far, so keeping him fit is crucial to their ambitions in the Premier League and Europe this term.

"We're short so we want to give him some cover or some competition but he is very unique and we'd miss him if we didn't have him," added Moyes.

The 31-year-old will be looking to outgun the evergreen Jamie Vardy who is still banging in the goals for the Foxes at 34.

"I've only been here for 18 months and Jamie Vardy's been at Leicester for a lifetime, it feels like," said Moyes.

"Jamie Vardy has been hugely influential at Leicester. Winning the league, they won the FA Cup. I hope Micky can have an impact in his time as a centre-forward.

"As they get older, which you often find, players appreciate how you get longevity and keep your career going is by keeping yourself in great condition, eating well and training well. Getting as much rest as you can.

"I think Mick has got to the stage where he's well into that and understands the importance of it. I think he's probably fitter than he's ever been.

"But he's still got to up his numbers. They're still not as high as they should be but I hope his all-round fitness will enable him to play more football this season."

ID:460477:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect2970:

Click here for more stories about David Moyes

Click here for more stories about West Ham United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers gives instructions to his players on August 7, 2021
Read Next:
Brendan Rodgers says star players opting to stay is sign of Leicester's progress
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Friday, July 5
 
5pm
Quarter-Finals
Spain
vs.
Germany
 
8pm
Quarter-Finals
Portugal
vs.
France
Saturday, July 6
 
5pm
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!