Forward Michail Antonio can’t wait to get stuck into Saturday’s enticing Premier League clash against his old club Nottingham Forest, who he has watched on admirably from afar in the opening stages of 2024/25.
The 34-year-old swapped Forest for the Hammers back in the summer of 2015, having scored 19 goals in 54 appearances during a one-year spell at the City Ground, which he believes was key in helping him become the player he is today.
Little over nine years on, Antonio has struck 83 times in 318 games for West Ham and is the Club’s all-time Premier League top scorer (68), while he became the first Iron ever to reach 100 direct Premier League goal involvements earlier this term.
Despite those achievements, in addition to the unforgettable 2022/23 UEFA Europa Conference League crown, Antonio insists he is more motivated than ever to score goals, and he is hoping to notch his second of the campaign on familiar ground this weekend.
“I’ve never been one to sit still, and I’m still full of energy, looking to score as many goals as possible and keep going for as long as I can,” the Jamaica international said.
“I’ve got a couple of Club records, but Jarrod [Bowen] isn’t that far behind me and he’s still got a long time on his contract, so I need to keep pushing on as much as I can!
“I’m always looking for goals in every game, and that will be the same against Forest. It’s always a special place to play for me, because I had an unbelievable year there, and loved everything about it.
“It’s been a long time since I was there, but I still have so much respect for everyone there because I think the time I had there made me who I am today. We know it’s going to be a tough game, but we’ll be ready and we’ll be confident, too.”
Forest are indeed one of the division’s most in-form sides, having roared up to seventh place with four wins and just one defeat from their nine games so far, a run which has included a first win away at Liverpool since 1969.
West Ham will arrive in the East Midlands with momentum of their own however, following a dramatic win over Manchester United last time out that marked their second home success in a row.
Antonio said: “They’ve [Forest] been quality so far this season, and we know it’s going to be a tough game. Chris Wood has been on fire with seven goals, but they’ve shown they’re strong at both ends of the pitch.
“But we’ve got a lot of belief in ourselves, and we’ll be looking for the three points. We got a good result against Manchester United, and hopefully we can take confidence from that game, and from other good parts of the season so far, up to Nottingham.”
After a transitional summer, that included the arrival of Head Coach Julen Lopetegui and a number of player incomings and outgoings, Antonio reckons the Irons are starting to show their real quality, and he is hopeful they can continue climbing up the Premier League standings.
He added: “It’s been a gradual process, and it’s always going to take some time to get used to a new way of playing with a new coach and players, but I feel we’re getting there and showing it on the pitch.
“The Club brought in real quality over the summer - the likes of Max [Kilman], who I knew was a great player because I’d played against him when he was at Wolves. We feel like things are starting to properly click, we’re all enjoying working together, and hopefully we can just keep getting as many points on the board as possible.”
