David Moyes insists he will not put up with indiscipline at West Ham after leaving Michail Antonio out of the matchday squad against Crystal Palace to punish the forward for arriving late to a team meeting.
Moyes has looked to instil ideals and a character model into his squad since arriving in November, and it’s a testament to the Scot that, despite missing a whole host of senior players due to injury and suspension, he made such a decision for a crucial game.
The Hammers were thin on the ground and could have done with someone of Antonio’s ilk coming from the bench in their 1-1 draw with Roy Hodgson’s side.
The West Ham manager revealed that, after over a month out, Antonio was close to making his return to the first time. However, having not for the first time turned up late, Antonio was left out of his plans.
"It was close but for disciplinary reasons he wasn't involved tonight. He turned up late this morning for a meeting and it wasn't the first time,” Moyes said.
"I am not having it at the club, I have said from the start what it's going to be like and it's too often [from Antonio].
"So, I didn't involve him tonight otherwise I would have tried to get him on the bench.
"He took it well, been in and apologised for it and we move on.
"He'll be back training tomorrow morning. And on time as well."
Moyes expects the dangerous forward to be back in his plans for Brighton this weekend, but admitted he remains short of fitness.
“He has got a good chance of being in the squad, which he would have been tonight. He is short of fitness in truth, a few more days will do him no harm.
“But he would have been a big plus for us tonight as we didn't have any alternatives, or very few.”
