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    West Ham news: David Moyes insists there was 'no risk' in not signing another striker

    Sean FisherSean Fisher4 February 2022
    Michail Antonio- West Ham, David Moyes

    Michail Antonio- West Ham, David Moyes

    West Ham failed to bring in any new signings during January, meaning they're heavily relying on Michail Antonio as their sole striker.

    Michail Antonio enjoyed a stellar start to the Premier League campaign, but has begun to look fatigued as the season has progressed. 

    With West Ham currently in fifth, January seemed like the ideal time for the club to seal some additional reinforcements and kick on in their pursuit of Champions League football.

    But the month passed by and West Ham made very little progress, not bringing in any new players.

    While David Moyes' squad is relatively large, there's a vital lack of depth in the striker department, with their attack now hinging on the fitness of 31-year-old Antonio.

    Yet, the Scotsman believes the Hammers did the right thing during the market, insisting there was no suitable additions to be made.
    "There was no intention of taking any risk, I wouldn't use the word risk because we have other people who can play there," said Moyes.
    "We were always trying to add to what we thought we could do. It would be hard to get better than Jarrod Bowen if we're talking about another striker.
    "I didn't just want back-up, I wanted real competition. I could have easily gone out and bought back-up. Easily.
    "I wanted people who were actually going to take other people's jerseys and challenge them."
    Their lack of depth up top has already been illustrated this week, with Antonio not due back from international duty with Jamaica until Friday morning.
    That likely rules him out of West Ham's FA Cup clash with Kidderminster on Saturday lunchtime.
    "Mich arrives back today from Jamaica which is not particularly good and realistically it's a terrible situation," said Moyes.
    "Players are away at the African Nations who clubs have not got, but this was an international week and we had Mich away and we get him back around 11 o'clock, hopefully."

    With Antonio asbent, the in-form Jarrod Bowen is expected to feature up top on Saturday, while club captain Mark Noble is also in line to start.

    David Moyes believes Jarrod Bowen's performances warrant an England call-up
    Bowen spoke ahead of the FA Cup tie, and stated how the side are desperate to send off their long-serving captain with silverware.
    "From the day I signed, Noble made me feel welcome, talking to me about different areas to live, asking about me and my family," said Bowen.
    "He's everything that this club is. Ask anyone and it's Mark Noble. He's been great, so to send him off by seeing him lift that silverware would put a smile on everyone's face."
    Bowen also acknowledged that Kidderminster, who are the lowest-ranked team remaining in the tournament, will be relishing the chance to face a top-flight side.
    "Of course people want giant killing in the FA Cup. So as a group of players the challenge we've got is going to be difficult, no doubt about it.
    "We want to qualify for the next round and that's our focus. They will be right up for it, for sure, so we want to go there, no hiccups, win the game and get through to the next round.
    "To win a trophy would mean everything. I mean we've got a couple of competitions that we have a good chance in. For me as a player I would love to achieve that."

    READ MORE: Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp says it'd be 'crazy' to not pursue interest in Fabio Carvalho

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