Paul Scholes has transfer advice for West Ham and David Moyes

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Paul Scholes has told BT Sport’s coverage of West Ham United’s late 1-0 FA Cup win over Stockport County that the Hammers have got to re-enter the January window and sign a striker – making a big claim about Michail Antonio.

Moyes watched on as his side squeezed into the fourth round of the FA Cup where they will meet Doncaster Rovers, thanks to a late header from on-loan defender Craig Dawson. Moyes fielded a strong side, but only just got through.

Sebastian Haller was sold to Ajax earlier this month for a fee of £20.25million and that has left the Hammers light up front. Antonio played much of the match on Monday night, before Ademipo Odubeko made his debut.

Scholes has urged Moyes and West Ham to spend the money they received for Haller on a new striker – also claiming that he does not think Antonio is a natural striker despite the Englishman’s stunning recent form.

“They did look short at centre-forward tonight, I know Antonio’s has not played a lot of games,” Scholes said. “I don’t think he is an out and out centre-forward. Naturally, he is a winger – he was only a makeshift centre-forward last season. David needs to be looking for a centre-forward.”

TBR’s view – Antonio is certainly a striker, but Scholes is right

Players can change positions. Antonio was signed as a winger and has played the majority of his 163 West Ham matches from a wide berth – but under Moyes he has taken his game to a new level as a powerful striker.

While he may have originally been a winger, his form over the past 12 months as a number nine makes him a striker – rather than a winger. But Scholes is still right, West Ham need to bring in a new forward as cover.