It’s been mentioned on the forums many times but you have to believe the time will have come against Doncaster Rovers to finally hand Andriy Yarmolenko a chance to lead the attack.
Indeed the Ukraine international is perhaps the only option to manager David Moyes for the fourth round match.
With David Moyes declaring there’s some uncertainty whether he will get a striker in it seems an obvious move.
Mipo Odubeko is self-isolating and will not be available so it adds up to a simple question: Should Moyes play Yarmolenko or Michail Antonio?
Playing Mikey three times in a week following games against Burnley and West Brom, makes no sense whatsoever gi ven the hamstrings.
Bringing Yarmolenko in for his chance at centre-forward seems the only answer with other changes of course on the cards.
Issa Diop has not played in the league since December, and this would be an ideal time to bring him in from the cold.
Craig Dawson has been exceptional in the Premier League and deserves a rest.
Elsewhere, there are likely to be appearances from Ryan Fredericks, The General, Ben Johnson and Mark Noble.
It is a useful audition, and of course, a win would set up what could be what some have described as the tie from hell – assuming we win of course -against either Manchester United or Liverpool.
Although, with the way the Hammers have been playing lately, it’d be a brave man who bet against them should that turn out to be the case!
I hope Yarmo gets a chance to strike. Also, give Diop a run and see if he remembers how to play. We will not win EPL and cannot afford to play Europe next year, so FA Cup is a worthwhile goal.
Won’t FA Cup win give a “ticket” to Europe?
If we didn’t already have Yarmolenko, there would probably be people out there saying he was the type of player we ought to be signing as back up to Antonio. Would be a dream signing if we could get him to join us. Well, he’s here. Let’s see what he can do!!
COYI
Shouldn’t change to many players, it might cost us.
Yeah,but beating Palace on Tuesday is just as important and we do not need injuries due to players having to play 4 games in 10 days.
Waste of time..but that’s just my opinion..he isnt a no 10 ..Bern tried before may get away with it against Doncaster but they really need to sort this out ..its ridiculous
When Antonio came off against West Brom Yarmo stayed wide and Bowen went in the middle….
Totally agree Childish. From what I have seen of Yarmolenko this season I would not let him anywhere the first team. He is slow and lazy. But he may be all Moyes has. I guess we wait and see.
Perhaps we need to ask why players like Yarmelenko do so well for their previous club and national side but struggle for minutes with us. It’s like,’ you’re on for twenty minutes; be fantastic or get dropped’. I think he and Bowen could be a great partnership but it requires serious game time to get familiarity.