Classy Nottingham Forest led the way at Old Trafford and now West Ham have a special Michail Antonio plan for the clash with Wolves.
West Ham welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the London Stadium for a crunch Premier League match on Monday night.
It’s been dubbed ‘El Sackico’ because Wolves will axe Gary O’Neil if they lose and the same fate will befall Julen Lopetegui if the Hammers are beaten again.
Nottingham Forest are enjoying the kind of season West Ham were expected to have so far.
The Tricky Trees are up in fifth place after yet another win, this time 3-2 against Man United.
One of Nottingham Forest’s seven victories so far this season did come against West Ham.
A comfortable 3-0 triumph was the game which really piled the pressure on Lopetegui.
It’s pressure that has only grown heavier with each passing week.
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While Lopetegui is fast becoming a laughing stock in east London, his fellow former Porto boss Nuno Espirito Santo is restoring his reputation at the City Ground.
So much is riding on the big game between West Ham and Wolves on Monday night.
But what has happened with Michail Antonio has put it all sharply into perspective.
Michail Antonio of Nottingham Forest celebrates scoring their first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Blackp...
Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images
Nottingham Forest’s classy Antonio chant at Old Trafford
It was a dark day for the Hammers after it was confirmed striker Antonio had been airlifted to hospital following a serious car crash.
Deeply concerning images on social media showed a silver Ferrari belonging to the Hammers’ all-time leading Premier League goalscorer severely damaged.
A West Ham co-owner has lead the Antonio well-wishers.
Today West Ham confirmed the former Nottingham Forest forward has undergone surgery on a lower limb fracture following the crash. Antonio will continue to be monitored in hospital over the coming days.
The tribal rivalry of football is one of the big reasons it is so fantastic. But what really makes football the beautiful game is that the sport’s community rallies around in these moments.
Clubs and fans from across the land and overseas have been showing their love for West Ham forward Antonio.
West Ham’s arch rivals Millwall and Spurs even sent messages of support.
Nottingham Forest paid their own tribute to their former star, saying: “The thoughts of everyone at Nottingham Forest are with Michail, his family and friends.”
Now West Ham have a special Antonio plan for Wolves after Forest’s classy chant at Old Trafford.
While the Antonio incident was breaking, Forest were in the middle of a famous win at Man United.
Michail Antonio of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Everton FC at London Stadium on November 09, 20...
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
West Ham’s special Antonio plan for Wolves
As news trickled through, the Forest fans showed pure class by chanting about the man they sold to West Ham for £7.5m back in 2015.
Antonio always names Forest as the time he enjoyed his football the most.
So his bond with the club is strong and clearly mutual.
Now West Ham fans are set to follow in Forest’s footsteps when Wolves come to the London Stadium on Monday night.
It is expected that images of Antonio will be shown on the big screens in the ninth minute in honour of the club’s number nine.
Top Hammers insider Sean Whetstone has revealed he fans are expected to pay special tribute to Antonio in the ninth minute.
West Ham fans will probably be singing Antonio’s name throughout the game in reality.
But his chant will ring out with extra gusto on the ninth minute.
“Hopefully there will be one minute of spontaneous applause from supporters in support of Michail Antonio and his friends/family on the nine minute mark at the London Stadium on Monday night for West Ham’s game against Wolves,” Whetstone said.
Those unable to make the game can watch it on Sky Sports where Monday Night Football are expected to dedicate a section of the show to the stricken Hammer.
“Everyone at the Club wishes Michail a speedy recovery and wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the football family at large for the overwhelming support shown since yesterday’s news, as well as extending a heartfelt thank you to the emergency services and first responders who attended to Michail in the immediate aftermath of the incident, and the medical team who continue to aid him in his recovery,” West Ham added in their latest statement.
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