Not such a good fifth round FA Cup draw for the Hammers, any Tony Pulis team is one to avoid, and an away tie against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Saturday 14th of February seems scant reward for all the effort against Everton and to some degree the match against Bristol City.
It could have been worse for West Ham fans, with Arsenal and most likely Manchester Utd and Liverpool who were all potential opponents. Is is not helpful generally to criticise team members, but if Hammers are to progress in to the next round of the FA Cup skipper, Kevin Nolan, must be benched! This is not a personal attack on a good servant to the club, but The Baggies will absolutely slaughter West Ham if Nolan starts, he just hasn't got the legs anymore, and what is worse is that he concedes free kicks by lashing out at opponents who have breezed past him to try and compensate for his lack of pace. This is not to say that Nolan is not a good player, and it is well known that he is a tremendous character in and around the dressing room, but it is quite clear that he cannot play as part of a diamond formation and perhaps is better suited to coming off the bench to shore things up during the final 20 minutes of a match.
If Big Sam wants his team to progress further in the competition, then unfortunately he has to drop his favourite player, will he do it? or maybe captain Kev will pick up a convenient face saving 'niggle' just before the match in order that his manager can put out a team that can at least hold it's own against a side that will present a stern physical challenge. -Ed
Comments
Got draw written all over it
I reckon we will get a draw at their place and then bring them back for a lively cup tie under the lights at Upton Park. Looks like we could have Kayoute back by then, meaning Nolan can sit back on the bench. We really have lost form in recent weeks, and it can't be a coincidence that Nolan has started most matches again. Nolan and Noble just don't seem to click anymore - we cannot afford to carry both of them, one maybe but not two - it is also affecting Song's form - with very little room to move in our midfield and not many outlets to push us forward. My best midfield so far this season would be: Downing (tip of diamond), Kayoute and Amalfitano, with Song at the base. Let's hope normal service will resume again soon. PS. Nev - how do we post a new article / thread ????????????
posting topics
this feature should be up and running by tomorrow hopefully! - New interface etc . -Ed
posting forums
feature now available, click on more under forums the post new forum or add content (both options are the same) you will need to select what type of topic then post and send . Simples -Ed
Kouyate will probably be back
Kouyate will probably be back in England on Thursday. Could possibly make the squad for Saturday,even if he is tired/jet lagged he will still be better than Nolan
No Fear
I for one don't fear WBA. The only thing that concerns me is how our manager will approach it. We should take them by storm, but will we? Allardyce has settled into old habits. Ah well, a replay would give us a home fixture. COYI.