The talk around West Ham last week was all to do with Nuno’s choices for selection for the FA Cup eleven, knowing the Premier League run-in started the following week. The Hammers had several key players injured or returning from a layoff; fans and fan sites had heated debates on the ‘cup vs league’ tug of war.
In the end, West Ham came up short without their key men. Nuno left out Summerville, Mavropanos, Todibo, Wan Bissaka (enforced through absence) Soucek (bench) and Hermansen and the Hammers failed to make it past Leeds. Their opponents went strong and made it through – but at some cost.
The images of Anton Stach‘s damaged ankle flooded the internet yesterday as the midfielder – who left the ground on crutches – comes to terms with possible ligament injury and a long layoff. Indeed, the4thofficial.net illustrates perfectly why Nuno may feel exonerated in his caution-first approach:
“This Leeds United Vital Cog Suffers Big Injury: Does Farke’s FA Cup Gamble Now Risk Entire Season?”
West Ham defender Max Kilman caught him [Stach] mid-shot, and replays showed the challenge rolled the German’s ankle, leaving him unable to continue. He later left the stadium in a protective boot and on crutches, sparking immediate worry among the Leeds faithful….
Anton Stach – left the ground on crutches after Kilman’s challenge
Farke now has to face a hard reality. He chose to start Stach in a gruelling cup tie even though the midfielder had missed training earlier that week with hip trouble. While Farke downplayed the issue pre-match, playing someone who wasn’t 100% fit for a quarter-final, with seven must-win league games left, is a gamble that has clearly blown up in his face.
West Ham fans would be forgiven for breaking out in a cold sweat considering the implications had the same happened to a recovering Crysencio Summerville.
Injuries in games happen at any time without warning – especially when facing another ill-timed clumsy Kilman- style scything lunge – but the thought of Summerville on crutches aheads of the seven games that will determine West Ham’s Premier League survival campaign would be sobering indeed.
Daniel Farke now has to face the same reality without one of his key players, If Leeds go on to lift the trophy, all will be forgiven.
Nuno’s caution may yet pay off as West Ham look to start the run-in with players likely to come back in and boost the squad rather than see vital components drop out. And that could be crucial in the coming weeks.
Too much emphasis put on premiership struggle, Leeds will be boosted by the win , don’t think it’s too bigger issue with the injury, after all , they are still in it , that in itself is a big motivator, anyone would think it was positive to lose the game. Was it really beyond us staying up and continuing in the cup?if so , how sad. I know this will be moderated of course.
One suggestion you could put out there to give it some momentum, is tp play Summerville (if fit) Bowen and Traore! with say Bowen in the middle instead of Pablo, or with just Soucek & Fernandes in midfield with Bowen or Traore as a no 10 with Pablo & Taty up from and Summerville and either Bowen or Traore on the right.. Surely either option must be a stronger much more dangerous side than, playing Potts, Magassa.