Mikey Antonio has a seriously important 90 minutes ahead of him next Monday evening as he looks to get back to full match fitness.
The FA Cup clash at Stockport could hardly have come at a better time for the player who has had two run-outs as a sub against Saints and Everton.
With due respect to County, they are not Saints or The Toffees and the Edgeley Park encounter should be just what the doctor ordered in terms of getting a big 90 minutes behind him in readiness for a return to Premier League action against Burnley and West Brom.
It could also give manager David Moyes yet another opportunity to fetch Seb Haller out of what may have been Last Chance Saloon by teaming him with the top man – it has worked on the rare occasions when tried in the past and it could prove far too much for County.
It may be the last serious opportunity to save his Hammers future by showing what he’s worth when playing alongside a partner.
We need to win a trophy so I don’t want to see Moyes playing a team of stiffs and here’s the line-up he could name for the game.
Randolph; Fredericks, Diop, Balbuena ; Johnson, Noble, Rice, Soucek, Yarmolenko , Haller, Antonio.
Why are they playing the FA Cup at all?
With the spike in Covid cases it’s fraught with danger going to lower league clubs where testing is not as rigorous as the Premier League.
Cancel the cup, play the outstanding league games on the two weekends put aside for the cup so that all teams have played the same number of games and then hopefully no congestion at the end of the season.
Totally agree Keith. Without crowds there is no real income gain for lower league clubs either and its more likely it will increase their costs via testing and cleaning.
Would hope to see Soucek left out, Cant risk him picking up an injury in a game he doesn’t need to play
Cannot agree with this team unfortunately, Surely Rice and Soucek could do with an extended break, bring on if only necessary.. No Haller for me, too many chances, won’t improve imho… Benrhama and Yarmelenko need to be given more opportunities… Rather give time to players who can help squad… Noble has had far too many opportunities.. We know exactly what to expect from him… he doesn’t improve our first team squad at all unfortunately..
No way you’d want to risk Antonio on what will be a dodgy waterlogged lower league pitch. Also got to rest some of our players. I would go with the team as
Martin
Fredericks
Diop
Balbuena or Dawson
Johnson
Noble
Snodgrass
Lanzini
Yarmalenko
Benrahma
Haller
Agree. Edgeley Park likely a converted pasture that has cows keeping the grass short off season. No Antonio.
I’n sure Antonio wouldn’t be bothered about the quality of the pitch. Hes played in every league, was paying for tooting a few years ago. That said I’d wrap him in cotton wool for this one personally and save him for the prem. Haller did very well in the cup games and preseason against lower level opposition, I’d play him. I’d also rest rice and Soucek, bring in noble and Snodgrass.