Michail Antonio on West Ham, Tottenham and goal celebrations on Goals on Sunday
Sunday 6 March 2016 13:46, UK
Michail Antonio joined Ben and Kammy on the Goals on Sunday sofa to discuss West Ham, England, his unique goal celebrations and more.
The Hammers winger scored for the third consecutive game as West Ham came from two goals down to beat Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.
Since breaking into the starting eleven in December, Antonio has found the net seven times in all competitions and speaking to Sky Sports, he discussed a number of topics, including a potential England call-up, West Ham's top-four ambitions and whether he'd prefer Champions League qualification or an FA Cup trophy.
An FA Cup trophy or a top-four finish...
"I'd take an FA Cup win all day. Top four is amazing but it's one of those things where you're part of history if you win the FA Cup. It's a massive competition.
"You will always be remembered, and you don't really get remembered for finishing fourth."
On West Ham's campaign...
"Slaven [Bilic] is saying it's a great season so far. It's such a tight-knit changing room and he doesn't want to put any pressure on us.
"He tells us to concentrate on each game, because there's been a couple of times where we didn't start well. We just need to perform and see what happens at the end of the season because it's been so unpredictable so far.
"When we beat Tottenham [on Wednesday] we went a point off the Champions League qualification places, but as soon as someone said it, someone else said, 'Don't talk about it because it's going to distract you.'
"I'm quite superstitious so I don't want to ruin it."
On his unique goal celebrations...
"I was sat in my hotel room one day and I was thinking my goal celebrations were boring. I was just sticking my arms out and running, and I wanted to mix things up and have a bit of banter with the fans.
"If I do a different celebration every game, at the end of the season I'll do a poll and see which is best. When I did the Homer Simpson one against Sunderland, Cress [Aaron Cresswell] was like, 'What are you doing?!'
"I've got some ideas up next but I don't want to ruin it for everyone. I let the worm out, but now I'm thinking, 'Do I do the worm or not because I've said it?'
"I've got my next two planned, though, and after that I'll take some suggestions from fans because I'm going to run out of ideas."
On playing non-league football with Tooting & Mitcham...
"I always had belief in my ability and I always thought I could be a professional footballer. I got to 17, and I still thought I was going to make it.
"When I jumped to League One with Cheltenham, at first I found it difficult but as I got comfortable, I felt I could take the next step. Then I was in and out of the Reading team and signed for Sheffield Wednesday, and since then I've not looked back.
"Ian Wright was my idol growing up, and I looked at him and said, 'Why can't I do that?'.
"There's lots of players in non-league football that have quality, and I believe it's about luck. I don't feel enough scouts go down there to watch and you need to be in the right place at the right time to get spotted."
On nearly joining Tottenham...
"When I was 14, I was playing for my school team and one of my teachers also coached at the time at Spurs.
"He mentioned it and a scout came to a game and was looking to sign me and my friend. He signed for them although he didn't manage to make the academy, but my mum wanted me to concentrate on my education.
"I was commuting from south-west London at the time and I would be getting back quite late. I was crying [at the decision], I'm not going to lie, and I was saying, 'You've ruined my life mum!'
"But I managed to do my schoolwork and went to college so I feel I've done it the right way."
On playing with Dimitri Payet...
"He's been a revelation to play with. He's got the feet, the vision, he's got everything. He's not just a flair player, though, he's got grit as well. He fights and he puts in a slide tackle, and for me he's the player of the season."
On Riyad Mahrez...
"He is quality, and this season he's been a joke at times. Me and some of the boys in the dressing room were talking about him recently because in the Championship he didn't play much.
"It was Anthony Knockaert who was the main man when they got promoted. But he's come to the Premier League and he's tearing it to pieces."
On an England call-up...
"It would be a dream come true to play for England. I'm a massive England fan so I'd love to get the chance."