West Ham need to make a ‘stick or twist’ decision over the next few days!
The Hammers are firmly in the race to finish in the top six but the run-in is remarkably tough, particularly when one considers the recent injury blows David Moyes has had to deal with. 
Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna are both until the end of the season and Kurt Zouma isn’t likely to be back soon either.
With games against Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City all to come, there may well be an argument for putting all of the eggs in the Europa League basket.
There are only three games standing between the Hammers and Europa League glory, the Irons could well wrap the likes of Declan Rice, Mikey Antonio, and Jarrod Bowen in cotton wool.
Beating Frankfurt over two legs would set up a final against either Rangers or RB Leipzig; in a one-off game, anything is possible.
But doing that could also lead to a slip in league form – eighth-placed Wolves are only three points further back with a game in hand.
Give us your opinions – this really isn’t an easy one to answer!
At the moment we need to finish 6th place in the league, the players have had a full week rest so I would be inclined to put out our best team on Sunday. I think the big call will be the game against Arsenal and we will have a better idea then where we sit.
We keep slipping up in the league anyway. I say go for the Europa.
I say go for both, to prioritise one competition over the other at this late stage of the season runs the risk of losing momentum.
Cliche I know but take every game as it comes. For me our league form has been indifferent since the win against Chelsea pre Christmas. I’ll get pelters but I think the so called “lesser teams” have sussed out our system. We’re a decent counter attacking side but when the opposition concedes possession to us we lack the creativity to open them up. As for wrapping up Antonio in cotton wool personally speaking I’d wrap him up in a training top and use his as an impact sub. He simply isn’t good enough to be the main striker. But his attributes coming on against a tiring defence could be match changing.
I think the question is moot. Moyes has used the same players all season. Can’t see him starting vlasic, noble, Kral, baptiste, or any other squad player now, nor should he at this point. I believe he’ll go for Johnson at cb with daws, and coufal and cress outside. Otherwise I don’t expect any significant changes for any of the upcoming games. Moyes has taken a calculated gamble that this group of 16 or so players can get it done. So far so good.
For one ALESE has to play against Chelsea. Make or break for the guy.
Rest Antonio as we can play Benrhama and Vlasic. They need to put in a shift.
Playing a reserve team can wait until the Arsenal game as jonham1 said. We will know where we are in both comps. Frankfurt play tomorrow. How many will they rest against Hoffenheim ?
Absolutely agree Boleyn – Alese should play. If he is a risk, DM should have subbed him on before now. I would argue it’s a bigger risk to play Johnson at C/B for the first time in this game. Moyes has taken much bigger risks – Masuaku in any game!!!
Frankfurt only played 5 players who beat Barcelona in the Q/F. 4 of those players were susbstituted 1 Lindstrom at half time.
They are going to be well rested. The Bundesliga allows 5 subs. We only allow 1.5 !!!
Frankfurt do have their current No1 keeper out and Ndicka suspended. Not sure if Tuta is who was also sent off in the other Q/F.
They do have a habit of full backs being sent off (we only have the one ! )
This site gives the best info around.
https://www.flashscore.co.uk/football/germany/bundesliga/
The fantastic run in Europa has covered over the gaping cracks . Our league form in 2022 has been poor mainly due to the lack of squad numbers , faith in the youngsters and Moyes misguided belief in Antonio . He is not good enough to be a striker in the Premiereship let alone the ONLY striker in the squad . Bowen has come through and bridged some of the gap but lack of recruitment has resulted in the chosen few being run into the ground with the inevitable result of multiple injuries and diminished form . COYI