Curses. Not everything flows smoothly and I wrote yesterday that three ‘fates’ had combined to give West Ham an edge in the upcoming game against Manchester United in October.
The return to fitness from Niclas Fullkrug and the shifting of the Red Devils’ European game to Thursday night are ‘positive’ signs in the balance between Claret and Blue and the Manchester side. The Irons will have a full week’s rest and preparation whilst Manchester United will have just 72 hours.
The third ‘plus’ has been whipped away from the Hammers, though, as under fire Eric ten Hag gets a major shot in the arm.
Following this weekend’s action Manchester United’s Portuguese Captain and moaner-in-chief Bruno Fernandes received a straight red card and was dismissed during his clubs game against Tottenham.
The resulting suspension meant he missed three games, the third of which was the visit to London Stadium.
This red card has sadly – for the Irons anyway – now been rescinded after Manchester United’s appeal to the F.A. so Fernandes is free to play in the game at London Stadium on October 27th.
Fernandes’ red card has been rescinded on appeal
West Ham will of course have their own Edson Alvarez back from his ban following the dismissal against Liverpool in the Carling Cup.
Both ten Hag and Lopetegui have been under huge pressure this season, with the images of a forlorn, soaked ten Hag stood on the touch line at the end of his club’s 0-3 loss at home to Spurs underlining what a tough and unforgiving job theirs is. Lopetegui must have been quietly grateful to the Dutchman for taking the media spotlight away from his own woes at West Ham if only for a little while.
There’s two ways of looking at this. Fernandes is likely to play in the European game and against us, whereas if he was banned against us then there’d likely be a fresh player in his place.
So you can still dive in with an out of control lunge taking your man out but it is now OK if you can manage to catch him with your heel and not your studs? Great example to the youngsters and even the older ones that offer nothing else than the destroy tactic.
The future is in FA hands. Glad I am too old to be playing now.
COYI
It was a foul and a yellow card but he clearly slipped and there was neither intent nor harm. Maddison, having the result desired, popped up like a jack-in-the-box. I think the theatrics are more dramatic than the fouls.