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Pundit shares West Ham United v Backa Topola prediction as ‘annoying’ claim made
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 will be in for a “hard time” in their Europa League meeting with Backa Topola.
The Serbian outfit travel to the London Stadium on Thursday (21 September) for their first group stage match of the new campaign.
The club currently sit top of the Serbian league table, having gone unbeaten from their first seven matches, with six wins and one draw.
The Hammers go into the match on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday (16 September), their first loss of the new Premier League campaign.
Prior to the home defeat against the defending champions, the East London outfit had picked up three wins and one draw.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “They’re Serbian, so you can guarantee they will be up for it, because they don’t mess about. You know you’re going to be in for a hard time.
“West Ham are becoming a team that are annoying me so much. I’m not having a pop at David Moyes here, but we’ve got better players than a counter-attacking team, soaking up pressure.
“And I understand doing that against teams that you think are above you, but tonight we have to go and play, and put a show on for the fans. I don’t care who they are, they shouldn’t be beating West Ham.
“Tonight, it’s the first game back since winning the Conference League, so it will be a great atmosphere there, the fans will get right behind the team. Go and give them a result.”
In other West Ham news, Moyes has confirmed a start for one Hammers player in their Europa League clash against Backa Topola.