West Ham United v Burnley ‘ideal’ for Danny Ings start as ‘this is the game’ prediction made – expert
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 the upcoming clash between West Ham and Burnley is the “ideal” match for striker Danny Ings to start.
The East London outfit travel to Turf Moor on Saturday (25 November) to take on the Clarets in a Premier League encounter.
Striker Ings has made 12 appearances in all competitions this season, but has featured for just 68 minutes in the Premier League.
Speaking to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “If I was Ings, I’d be saying ‘This is the game I want to play in.’ Because if he gets a chance, he’ll score goals against them. I’d be saying to the other players ‘Get the ball in the box and give me chances.’
“It’s ideal for Ings I think to come in against Burnley. They are leaking goals, and he’s a goalscorer. I think it could be a win-win.
“He’s got to get a hold of the players and tell them to stop faffing about on the wing, get the ball into the box. If that happens, then we’ll win.”
Rare start?
Ings really has been left out to dry by his manager this season, with the striker having more luck in terms of game time away from the Premier League.
But even in competitions such as the Europa League and League Cup, Ings hasn’t exactly been a regular, playing three times in the former and once in the latter.
Moyes has instead kept faith with Michail Antonio, with winger Jarrod Bowen even getting the nod up front this season.
But Ings could be handed a rare start against his former club given the injury to Antonio, with Moyes confirming that the striker will be out of action for “two or three weeks.”
Bowen meanwhile is facing a late fitness test, and if he is also ruled out then the door could be open for Ings to lead the line.
The striker clearly hasn’t impressed his boss behind the scenes at Rush Green, and certainly needs to take the opportunity with both hands, if indeed it comes his way.
In other West Ham news, a journalist has told a “red-hot” Hammers ace what he “must” do to land a Euro 2024 place.