Cupset at Derby? We should win but…!

The FA Cup, the Oldest Cup Competition in the World!

And it`s the fourth round!

Cardboard FA Cups covered in tinfoil!

Local butchers doing horrible-looking sausages in plucky local side’s colours!

Politicians professing a love for their side despite never have gone to a game !

And a chance to forget relegation battles!

Games on free-to-air TV that your dad still calls “terrestrial” Isn’t it? Hmm? Marvellous, jumpers for goal posts…

Anyway enough of this nonsense, let`s have a look at the Derby game this evening.

By Simon Leyland

A genuine chance for a Cupset™️ on Monday night as the in-form Derby host our struggling Hammers with the TV cameras broadcasting to the nation. By the way, what on earth is ITV X?

The Rams are unbeaten in their last 14 games across all competitions – and if you want to focus on 90 minutes only – the run stretches to a rather impressive19.

The Hammers may see this as a chance to try and get another win under their belts, but it is a  a double edged sword as there is also the element of not wanting more games and the seemingly inevitable injuries when you’re in a relegation battle. Also there is no extra time – this is the last round in which replays are possible.

The Rams took Liverpool to penalties in the Carabao Cup and despite the hosts making a number of changes for the Anfield contest, some of the players emerging from the bench highlighted just how close they were to being knocked out.

Our win over the beleaguered Toffeemen last weekend was a much-needed one after an appalling few weeks. Even though we sat back with our feet up for the second half we still had the better chances and were easily the better of the two sides on display.

Bowen’s goals will restore some much needed confidence in him. He has had the look of a man who can`t remember where he put his car keys, so it was good to see him get his pep back by trying to take on players rather than holding things up and cutting back in across the pitch which has seemed to be the case for much of this season.

Just how strong they opt to go in this one remains to be seen, but “Dithering” David Moyes may be tempted into more changes since our win in the last round against the pride of West London – Brentford.

On the injury front we will once again be without Gianluca Scamacca, who has been having treatment on his knee. The curse of the new signing has raised its ugly head again with the side- lining of Danny Ings and the seemingly injury prone Big Kurt Zouma has a dodgy thigh to contend with.

Maxwel Cornet appears to have been locked in the Physio`s room and someone`s lost the key or was he in France? Who knows…anyway he is not playing.

The papers have been talking an upset, but even though we have a sick list as long as your arm, we have a multi million pound squad which put against a hotchpotch of loanees and free transfers , we should win.

But this is West Ham we are talking about and a hyped up baying crowd ,playing under the floodlights and on the telly…means that it all could all go pear shaped.