Beck Pascal

Thu 17 March 2022 16:30, UK

Joe Cole has urged the West Ham players to be “ready to go to battle” ahead of tonight’s (March 17) Europa League clash against Sevilla.

David Moyes’ side welcome the La Liga side to the London Stadium for the second leg of their round of 16 knockout tie where they will look to overturn the 1-0 deficit suffered in Seville.

The Hammers face an uphill battle with key man Jarrod Bowen out injured and Michail Antonio’s availability still 50/50 having returned to training yesterday, as per the West Ham Way Podcast.

However, Cole believes the Irons crowd can make up for their absence, he told West Ham: “The atmosphere is going to be unique. It’s going to be white-hot. 

“The crowd will be pushing the lads on. The lads have achieved so much and they need to pat themselves on the back for that, but also be ready to go to battle to keep the dream alive.”

Historic

Tonight is set to be a thriller. It is West Ham’s first European knockout tie at home in recent history and the fans are going to be right up for this one.

Bowen and Antonio – potentially – being out injured is a massive blow which could easily see the tie sway in favour of Sevilla but that can’t enter the thoughts of the players for one minute and you can guarantee Moyes won’t let it.

They have come this far in the competition to be making any excuses at all. Hopefully, the absence of the Irons key attackers gives the rest of the players that extra drive to go on and win the game.

This team deserves Champions League football with the way they have played this season and with the Premier League looking too congested, they have to win the Europa League.

It is a tall order but if the fans help carry them over the line tonight and their key players return for the next leg, anything can happen after that.

In other West Ham news, Stuart Pearce shares an ’emotional’ behind the scenes view.

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