Suddenly, the FA Cup clash becomes VERY important

By Hughie Southon

It may not feel like it at first glance given our PL position but there’s a load riding on Monday night’s game at Derby County…PROBABLY!

The Rams are currently sitting fourth in League 1 having won 14 games this season and the TV company broadcasting the match will see this as a possible shock result – thus a Monday night screening!.

Moyes will doubtless pick a strongish team being aware of the danger because after being beaten by Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Cup, another in the FA Cup from a club at the third tier would be a disaster.

There may be one or two who wouldn’t be unhappy if it helped to get rid of the manager, CandH is not among them despite our well known position of preferring a new man at the top.

We want to see the Hammers win something in long last and the FA Cup would be great but in our present form we – and maybe not many others will be holding their breath.

Our likely team: Areola, Johnson, Oggy, Aguerd Emerson, Downes, Soucek, Lanzini, Fornals, Bowen, Antonio.

Prediction: 1-2