Pundit fumes over ‘nonsense’ West Ham United development, drops new prediction
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 believes West Ham United have only themselves to blame as they cut short their much-needed winter break due to the FA Cup replay with Bristol City on Tuesday.
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).
It went from bad to worse for David Moyes and his men when Jarrod Bowen, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Lucas Paqueta all went off injured with news emerging on Tuesday (Roshane Thomas, 9 January) that both Bowen and Paqueta now out of action for up to a month.
And McAvennie believes West Ham will have enough to topple Bristol City but have only themselves to blame that they don’t have the prolonged break they needed.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “They’ve got to win that but I’d be annoyed because they were getting a much-needed break and now they’re not getting one after Sunday’s result.
“It’s their own fault.
“Now, they’ve got to go to Ashton Gate and win, do a professional job. If you do that and do the basics right, you’re always in with a chance but they didn’t do that on Sunday.
“I keep saying to people when you’re having a bad game, just make sure you’re doing the basics, pass the ball simple, don’t try them Michel Platini passes, just play it simple, win your duels and then you’ll get your confidence back and start playing well again.
“It’s not rocket science. Football is a simple sport if you do the simple things well.
“Honestly, I don’t like these nonsense FA Cup replays because now West Ham United are affected by it, especially with the injuries they’ve got now but I do think they should have enough to beat Bristol City.
“I’m going for a 2-1 win but it will be tight and difficult without our star players.“
In other West Ham news, one player wants to leave the Hammers amid a £30million development.