With only 38 goals scored in the Premier League season, one of the lowest in the English top-flight during 2022/23, West Ham’s strikers haven’t exactly been prolific this season.
It’s likely a major reason why the Hammers have struggled domestically, with only the recent three points from a win over Man United, virtually seeing them safe for another season.
A former West Ham striker turned pundit, Frank McAvennie, someone who did know where the goal was, isn’t too impressed by one striker in particular.
“(Danny) Ings can’t play on his own,” he said to West Ham Zone.
“I think he’s a great striker but he can’t play on his own, so why play him up front on his own? I don’t get it.
“Everyone can see that. He’s never played on his own. They’ve bought a few like this before. I wouldn’t even try him.
“He can’t do the holding up work that you need to bring others in. Ings can’t do that. He’ll put the ball in the net. He’s got to play with Antonio or he doesn’t play at all. Don’t play him on his own.”
It’s a damning indictment of a player that David Moyes brought in to add goals and experience, but who has largely been a disappointment.
Whether the end of the season will see the end of Ings’ short West Ham career is a moot point at this stage, given that Moyes can’t really be sure of his own future at the London Stadium.
Even if the east Londoners go on and win the Europa Conference League, it doesn’t compensate for the poor domestic campaign.
A season where they’ve toiled for the most part and which isn’t close to being good enough when you have players like Declan Rice and Lucas Paqueta in the side.
With a handful of games left in the season, against Brentford, Leeds United and Leicester City, it wouldn’t be a bad thing for Moyes to take heed of McAvennie’s advice in play Ings in a pairing with Antonio.
If nothing else it would give the Scot – or his replacement – options if it happens to work out.