Pellegrini Will Not Do A Poch!

West Ham United boss, Manuel Pellegrini, knows only too well the importance that winning a trophy means for his club and it's long suffering supporters has, the EFL Carabao Cup represents a clear route in to Europe for the next season, a route he is determined to take, by hook or by crook. Pelle has hinted at changes from the side that swept away Manchester United at the London Stadium on Sunday, however he will be extremely wary of 'doing a 'Poch' by fielding a team that is too under strength.

Tottenham's humbling by Colchester in last night's 'Elk' Cup tie will have served as a salient reminder to Hammers' Chilean manager, realistically neither West Ham nor the club's bitter rivals can win the Barclays Premier League, that will be reserved for either Liverpool or Manchester City. So the best that can possibly be hoped for is to break in to the top six or even the top four, however that requires Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United to implode as well as Tottenham and two of Leicester, Wolves or Everton to fall by the wayside.

Given the possibilities and the vagary of potential results and form, the Carabao Cup really does represent a genuine route in to Europe, albeit a slightly convoluted one, but it should be remembered that a cup win eliminates the need to pre-qualify for the Europa League, the impact of which is well known, just look at how Wolves are struggling to compete in the early stages whilst trying to maintain their presence in the Premier League, it is a delicate balance, any hope Wolves had of buying their way out of trouble during the January window has been snuffed out due to their owners taking a one billion pound hit as a result of the Thomas Cook debacle as they were substantial share holders in the company.

There will be a slot for youth players during tonight's game against Oxford City, Connor Coventry and Nathan Holland are two U-23 players set to start, but you can bet your house 'Pelle' will do everything he can to avoid his team suffering a similar fate as their North London rivals. Sebastian Haller, Pablo Fornals and Felipe Anderson will most likely all be on the bench in case they are needed.

Players that haven't been getting much game time will also get a run out, Robert Snodgrass, Albian Ajeti, Carlos Sanchez, Fabian Balbuena, Jack Wilshere, Pablo Zabaleta and Jiminez are all set to start as is youngster Gonçalo Cardoso. It wasn't just Poch's team who underestimated their opponents last night, Stoke City also went out on penalties, if Mark Noble doesn't start tonight's match he will surely be kept in reserve should the need to take penalties occur.

A place in the last 16 is up for grabs, West Ham teams of the past would probably falter at the prospect, it is to be hoped that Manuel Pellegrini's 'big club' mentality also includes a degree of humility when it comes to tonight's opponents, who will play their hearts out!! - Ed *we'll have all the team news as soon as it is available