Pundit predicts result of West Ham United FA Cup clash v Bristol City at London Stadium amid Liverpool verdict
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 shared his prediction as West Ham United host Bristol City in the FA Cup third round at the London Stadium on Sunday 7 January.
West Ham United enter the contest off the back of just one defeat in their last six games in all competitions while Bristol City have only lost one of their last five games in all competitions and will be hopeful of causing an upset on Sunday.
With the Hammers set to potentially miss Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus for the game, McAvennie urges Moyes not to make huge changes for the game as it provide all the encouragement Bristol City need to cause an upset.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “Listen, we should beat them.
“Please, David, go out and put out a good team to win this week. Give the boys a positive cup run.
“I think if he would have put a decent team out against Liverpool in the EFL Cup and he will always get criticism for this, but if you put a decent team out against the Reds, you could have beaten them and you’re favourites for the cup.
“Let’s be honest, they’re not gonna win the Premier League so you take these cup games seriously, give the fans something to shout about.
“You’ve got a big run and opportunity at the FA Cup but he should have gone for it against Liverpool in the EFL Cup I think but they were made to pay for it.
“I can’t be bothered with this excuse where managers say they want to rotate, the best players want to play football and they’re gonna have a break after this game so you can afford to take the risk.
“Put out a good team and don’t give Bristol City any headroom, don’t give them anything where they can get their feet up and cause an upset. Go and beat them, take a break and come back and everything else will sort itself out.“
The FA Cup is the latest competition facing the Irons and they have an excellent chance of reaching the fourth round.
Bristol City have been in reasonable form under Liam Manning, but they are far from the finished article and certainly pose no real threat to the Hammers’ potential progress.
Even with a couple of changes, the Hammers should have more than enough quality to breeze past the Robins, especially at home.
It’s always baffling seeing some Premier League managers not take the competition seriously by deploying weak line-ups but West Ham United should be in it to win as the fans deserve something to believe in.
That starts with a rampant win on Sunday.
In other West Ham news, Alex Crook has shared a fascinating update on the Hammers’ interest in Tottenham defender Eric Dier