West Ham ace Konstantinos Mavropanos compared to English sporting great for all the wrong reasons
West Ham are hoping the FA Cup will provide them a much-needed lift.
West Ham are beating QPR 1-0 in the FA Cup third round at half-time, with Nuno Espirito Santo in desperate need of a win.
West Ham’s 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night extended the Hammers’ winless run in all competitions to 10 games, piling the pressure on Nuno.
However, the FA Cup offers the chance for a change of pace, as well as the opportunity to regain that winning feeling, amid talk of Sam Allardyce potentially coming in to replace Nuno.
Konstantinos Mavropanos likened to England rugby icon
The football under Nuno has been a tough watch for West Ham fans this season, with just 22 goals scored and 43 conceded in 21 Premier League games.
That has extended to the FA Cup too, as West Ham have struggled to create goalscoring opportunities in the first half against QPR despite taking late lead just before the break through Crysencio Summerville.
Konstantinos Mavropanos was picked out for a particularly head-scratching moment, as he played the ball out of play on the halfway line with numerous teammates to play it to.
Speaking on talkSPORT in regards to that incident, Perry Groves was equally as confused, and even likened it to an England rugby great.
“Are we watching the Six Nations? How many times have they kicked the ball out of play. Mavropanos there turned into Jonny Wilkinson,” Perry remarked.
West Ham look to have lost Mavropanos to serious injury
Following his aforementioned misplaced pass, Mavropanos left the field of play against QPR on a stretcher with what appears to be a serious head or neck injury.
Mavropanos was down for a considerable amount of time before being stretchered off, which ensured there was nine minutes of added time at the end of the first half, from which West Ham profited from through Summerville’s goal.
- Mavropanos has made 14 Premier League appearances this season
- He’s played over 80 games for West Ham since signing in the summer of 2023
- He’s started 11 of his 14 PL games this season
If Mavropanos’ injury is as bad as feared, then West Ham will likely have to turn back to Max Kilman, who was benched in the Hammers’ defeat against Nottingham Forest.
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