Pundit fires West Ham United stark message ahead of Europa Conference League final v Fiorentina
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 has sent the West Ham squad a stark warning ahead of their Europa Conference League final with Fiorentina on Wednesday (7 June).
The Hammers have the chance to win their first trophy in over 40 years when they face the Serie A club in Prague, with the winner claiming a place in the Europa League next season.
But after losing the final Premier League game of the season in their last outing before this game, McAvennie has issued the players and David Moyes a warning that they must go on the front foot in the game or they will suffer defeat in the biggest game of their time at the club.
“They were so defensive again (against Leicester). If they do that against Fiorentina they’ll get beat. Simple as that. You’ve got to go at them,” he told West Ham Zone.
“England did it. They went defensive against Italy when they should have brought Grealish on and gone for it. Simple. If West Ham do that against an Italian team [they’ll lose]. They’re better at it than us. They have better defenders than English teams, so we’ve got to be better than them and go for it. I can’t see them not.
“There’s no doubt the players had an eye on the cup final but they should have been better than that. They should have beat Leicester, finish on a high and get the momentum to go into the cup final.
“Don’t walk off that pitch after 90 minutes thinking, ‘if only I’d done that’. You cannot think that way, you’ve got to do it. You can’t think I should’ve done that, or we should’ve done that.
“If you walk off and got beat but you know you tried your best, then fine. Don’t leave anything on the pitch. Juts go and do it. Go and play.
“You’re a better team than Fiorentina. Individually, they’re better. If they work together they’ll beat them. No question. They’ve not got better players than West Ham.
“They’ve not got a Benrahma or a Bowen, or a Paqueta, or a Rice. They’ve not got these players.”