Barcelona incentive ‘huge’ for West Ham v Lyon – Frank McAvennie
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Tonight’s Europa League quarter-final between West Ham United and Lyon offers a “huge incentive” to the Irons according to Frank McAvennie.
The Irons have already beaten Sevilla in the competition this season and Lyon pose a similarly difficult test although the hardest is yet to come for David Moyes’ side if they advance to the last four.
The winner of this tie will play either Eintracht Frankfurt of the Bundesliga or the mighty FC Barcelona who dropped into the competition having been knocked out of the Champions League by Benfica in the group stages.
Ex-Hammers striker McAvennie wants to see Jarrod Bowen keep his place in the side despite only just returning from injury while his former side uses the incentive of a potential trip to the Nou Camp as fuel to defeat their French counterparts and reach the semi-finals
“He’s got to play,” McAvennie said exclusively to West Ham Zone. “There’s eight games left and everyone will be busting to play those eight games.
“They will want to play and beat Lyon because they’re likely to get Barcelona in the semi.
“That is a huge incentive; to play one of the greatest team in Europe.”
Moyes shouldn’t need to use the Nou Camp as fuel for determination as the players should already be more than up for the game with the potential for a European trophy a real possibility.
If he has to remind them of who they could play in the last four to get them fired up, then maybe he needs to rethink his methods of motivation.
In other West Ham news, Lyon will have their top scorer back for tonight’s clash but a key midfielder misses out.
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