WITH three third- round exits in the last nine years – and only twice getting past the fourth round – West Ham United’s recent FA cup performances have been nothing to write home about. The ‘good old days’ of genuine fan excitement at a cup run seem to have dissipated into a kind of sepia- tinged memory of when the FA cup actually used to matter.
Many ‘top tier’ sides devalued its appeal by fielding weaker sides after fixture congestion: Last season’s triumph by Crystal Palace over Manchester City has perhaps restored some of the shine to the historic old trophy and the tournament. For sides like West Ham, languishing near the foot of the Premier League and already out of the League Cup, the competition represents the last opportunity for success this season.
Soucek absolutely on board with a serious attempt at winning the FA cup: Not just a ‘distraction’ from the Premier League
Traditionally fans moan that the cup means more to them than to the players and the club – but that’s a myth challenged by Thomas Soucek- speaking to whufc.com he made his own feelings and ambitions clear:
“This is the time to get out of the relegation zone and then to be ready for the FA Cup, because it’s another chance to be successful this season.”
“I’m happy that West Ham plays in the Premier League and has so many opportunities, and I hope that I still can achieve something we haven’t done already.
Now, even in this season, we have the FA Cup, so it’s to put everything in the FA Cup…”
How we’d appreciate a cup run: The ground truly rocked in those heady days of European last 16, quarter and semi-finals and the whiff of success in another cup competition would surely get fans on board and regenerate interest from an apathetic fan bas who have had scarce little to cheer about since the summer of 2023.
After all, a 46 year wait for another FA cup triumph is surely long enough. Tomas Soucek, for one, is absolutely on board with another serious attempt come January.
Winning the FA cup gets you into the Europa league the following season. Being in the Europa league attracts better players in transfer window. Absolute no brainer to try and win the FA cup if you’re not playing in Europe. An opportunity to give academy and squad players a run out in the early stages at the very least.
Yep I’d agree with that Ray, get shot of Sully and bring in a DOF as long as his name isn’t Steidten
Given our predicament and all of the mitigating factors, Premier league survival would definitely qualify as a success for this season. As nice as it would be to win the FA Cup again, staying in the PL while restructuring the club for future success has to take priority. Right now, we are not seeing any clear moves to change, with more cringeworthy suggestions for player reinforcements and every chance of the same recent mistakes being repeated. Sullivan needs to take a back seat, and a Director of Football needs to be employed, accepted and allowed to do the job.