Pundit can’t believe what he’s heard from West Ham United fans ahead of FA Cup replay v Bristol City
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…
Frank McAvennie admits he is surprised by some West Ham United fans’ calls to scrap FA Cup replays as they gear up to face off against Bristol City on Tuesday (16 January).
The Championship outfit earned a deserved 1-1 draw against the Hammers at London Stadium on Sunday (7 January) to force an FA Cup third-round replay at Ashton Gate (16 January).
The replay arrives right in the middle of what was supposed to be a much-needed winter break in the Premier League for David Moyes and his team but the Hammers face off against City with a depleted attacking unit having suffered blows to Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “I tell you what, some West Ham fans have been having a go at the FA Cup replays, I mean I heard on the radio where fans were having a go at it and I was like ‘What?’.
“Those fans simply don’t know football. West Ham going to Bristol, what a night it is for their fans isn’t it? That is the romance, the magic and the beauty of the FA Cup.
“West Ham United fans travelling down to Bristol with a full house, under the lights, that’s what replays are for. They can make so much money from it to boost revenue out of those two games so well done to them.
“I think it’s great, as long as we win of course.”
With Lucas Paqueta ruled out for up to two months, Michail Antonio facing yet another injury setback, and Mohammed Kudus taking part in the Africa Cup of Nations, West Ham are certainly in dire need of attacking inspiration right now.
And given the current injury list, the protest from West Ham United fans surrounding the fact that they have to face an unnecessary replay is certainly understandable.
But, this replay is mightily beneficial to Bristol City and their fans as they have the chance to topple the Hammers having done such a great job keeping them at bay at the London Stadium.
It’s a reward for their exploits in East London and it’s what makes the FA Cup so great and prestigious, no matter what those at West Ham United may be feeling towards it.
A win for the Championship outfit would mean so much to their fans as much as it would for the Hammers and that’s what makes the contest so intriguing but Moyes will doing all his best to ensure there is no upset whatsoever at Ashton Gate.
In other West Ham news, early team news has broken ahead of the Bristol City game.