AFC boss knows the score

Former Hammers coach Wally Downes is ready to swap blows with Manuel Pellegrini and knows exactly why today’s Cup clash is on the box – because the broadcasters want the minnows to win.

The AFC Wimbledon manager will certainly not be the victim of mixed emotions when the two teams run out this evening despite his Hammers background.

He joined us in 2010 as a defensive coach at under Avram Grant after assistant manager Zeliko Petrovic was fired but kept his job despite relegation and a year later became first team coach under Sam Allardyce.

However, he  unexpectedly left in the December of 2011 and then went on to spend time under Harry Redknapp at QPR.

Downes is likely to put out his strongest side despite his team being bottom of the league One and facing high flying Sunderland next weekend.

But there’s also an EFL Cup defeat to avenge as his team look to spring a shock  Speaking in his presser ahead of the game he said: “ The cameras are here and there is more media attention because they want West Ham to lose. They want the story for the next day to be about us beating them.

The boys know the pressure and how much you need to perform. If West Ham don’t perform, we’ve got to be in a position to take advantage.”