Despite his protestations to the contrary, West Ham manager David Moyes will NOT select club talisman Michail Antonio in the starting line up for today's 4th round FA Cup tie against Doncaster at the London Stadium. The chronic lack of striker availability that Moyes is dealing with is unprecedented and due to the fact that record signing Sebastien Haller's transfer to Ajax essentially came out of the blue.
The suddenness of Haller's transfer left West Ham with a paucity of front men available, with only Big Michail Antonio as the recognised striker, and even he is a converted winger! The club's planners can be forgiven at snatching whatever deal was on offer from Ajax because Haller's presence and general moodiness was beginning to have an unhealthy effect on the rest of the squad.
There are those who will argue that there is no point in 'wrapping Antonio in cotton wool', and that instead of aiming to qualify for Europe via a league position, that a path to the Europa League is there via the FA Cup, the only problem being that if, and it is a big if, Hammers overcome Doncaster today, the reward will be a fixture against either champions Liverpool or champion's elect manchester United!
Moyes is not stupid and knows that he has to 'balance' his judgement with regards to Antonio, he will more than likely keep big Mich in reserve and only bring him on in case of emergency. Whether he can risk not starting either or both of Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice is debatable, as they have both played a hell of a lot of games recently and can probably do with a short break before facing Palace in the Barclays Premier League on Tuesday, the games come thick and fast from now on. - Ed
Comments
Rotherham??
Rotherham??
Well, they are both oop North
Well, they are both oop North aren't they?
Sad to say I now live here
Sad to say I live here now. Rovers have hardly played in recent weeks because of covid. Loads of the team affected so I'm expecting them to be shit!!
Yeah Ooops North :D
Either way I have no sympathy for Moyes so called "dilemma". His refusal to adapt a system to suit Haller when it was obviously not working his way smacks of arrogance. It was him who let Ajeti, Hugill and alienated Chico without having reinforcements in place so only has himself to blame. I'm also sick and tired of hearing that there are too many games for these overpaid, pampered little Premiership darlings. We've played 5 games this year which is no great hardship so stop bleating about it or using it as an excuse for not fielding a full strength team in the FA Cup. Finally, Have we not got a striker in our U23's or youths team who could be given a run out in the big boys league if Antonio is such a high risk of injury??
Come on deluded
Play a system that suited Haller? Since the sulky git has gone you can see the team are a lot more together,you cant build a team round someone who had zero ability & didnt want to be with us....you talk about overpaid pampered darlings imo le sulk is the epitome of that description
Not the haller flag flying
Not the haller flag flying high again,yes mate your right,he was the most precious player on the pitch.....Today would be a good day to do what Dartford said the other day ,to put Benny and Bowen up front,and see what happens,electric pace i would say.
Yep unfortunately Essex
The old 'Haller system' chestnut is still alive & kicking mate!
Another goal
By Haller
Couldnt care less,in my
Couldnt care less,in my opinion,hes league one material,championship at best.
Just looked
Against that world famous club fortuna sittard apparently! No me neither....
I dont like to say it deluded
I dont like to say it deluded but dont you think its time you found another club ,you seem to be the only one on here bitching about Moyes ,and any other manager thats not big Sam ,i know everyone's got a right to their point of view ,but you seem to have a real problem how things are run since your brother in law was here ,sometimes i get the feeling your only jerking our chain