Antonio’s rawness explains his prior absence.
Much was pondered about the lack of involvement Michail Antonio endured over the first quarter of the season. After having been bought from Nottingham Forest, the young winger was clearly down the attacking pecking order, but even substitute appearances were scarce. Now that, in the midst of this injury crisis, we’ve seen Antonio in action for an extended run, it is clear why Slaven Bilic chose not to utilise the winger sooner. Where, in the Championship, he was able to run past, even through, players, here in the Premier League his athleticism is less significant. His wing play is rudimentary, looking simply to knock the ball past his marker, and chase it. In Neil Taylor, Antonio was up against a quick, smart full back, and was rarely more than a blunderingly, and only occasionally, effective attacking tool.
A good fought point against a free playing Swansea, fans were amazing once again @whufc_official #WHUFC #COYI pic.twitter.com/YbfOrT17jS
— Michail Antonio (@Michailantonio) December 20, 2015
