“The magic of the FA Cup”. The weekend commencing Saturday 4th January is the introduction of the Premier League sides. West Ham drew an away trip to Nottingham Forest, and on Sunday, the Hammers will be looking to start their second cup run.
West Ham are sitting in 19th of the Premier League and Nottingham Forest are ever climbing at 5th in the Championship. After 24 games, Forest have picked up 40 points. They are currently on a 7 game unbeaten run in the Championship and are the joint top team for amount of draws so far (10). West Ham albeit in the league above are without a win in 7 league fixtures.
Team News
Nottingham Forest have three ex-Hammers among their ranks, with two previous loanees; Henri Lansbury and Danny Collins, along with youth system product Chris Cohen. Ex-Premier League regular Andy Reid is the talisman of the side; he leads the goal and assists for the club (7 each). Simon Cox and Darius Henderson both have 5 league goals and are the two likely forwards to feature versus West Ham. David Vaughan will face a late fitness test along with Djamal Abdoun.
No big extent of injuries for Nottingham Forest, which sadly cannot be said for West Ham. Andy Carroll is back in full training but is still a considerable amount of time away from returning, as can be said for Ricardo Vaz Te, Mark Noble, James Tomkins and Winston Reid. Kevin Nolan is suspended once more and will miss the Sunday game.
Stewart Downing has recovered from his achilles injury and after being an unused sub versus Fulham, may start against Forest. Adrian, Matt Jarvis, Joe Cole and Carlton Cole could all start, along with youth players Leo Chambers, Dan Potts, Pelly Ruddock and Blair Turgott. Ravel Morrison could also feature and will likely face a late fitness test, a place on the bench may be more realistic for the English starlet.
Prediction
West Ham seemingly have two sides this season, a cup team and a league team. When the cup team turns up we win. Otherwise, we are rather unpredictable. Therefore we should expect a win? Very rarely will a Premier League side not expect to beat a lower league side, regardless of league form. However, Forest fans will be rather optimistic of a home victory versus a struggling and injury ridden side.
To me this game has little relevance in the grand scheme of things. We can lose here and it means very little, much like the Capital One cup results. A win however, is a win and will be enjoyed, but it seems to have little effect on West Ham’s league form.
Nottingham Forest 2-2 West Ham – It won’t be easy for West Ham and Forest will be a tough test. I think a replay will be required.
Why not the youth players are more positive after a season of throwing games away, DAN POTTS at least as good as the current full backs, just doesnt get a chance!
Not keen on terms like, “playing the youngsters! Are rookies! Or 2nd string elevens!” Never have been as I believe they are all derogatory terms and are not helpful! West ham have a history and tradition of bringing on quality players carefully nurtured through the academy! However, this season due to injuries we have had to bring some on a bit quicker than probably has been good for them. But they have all acquitted themselves very well and have been outstanding in capital cup and foreign friendliest earlier in the season. This is to the credit of players involved and the playing ethos of the club. I don’t see any reason for this development not to be continued at forest. Lastly I think big Sam deserves credit for resisting the calls for throwing our youngsters into more regular prem action. Cup games and friendliest are one thing but the brutal world of the toughest league in the world is another! 2-1 hammers! COYI!
Why are you saying that Downing was an unused sub versus Fulham when he came on for Diame? Or was I dreaming it?
Why why oh why did Sam not play either Rob Girdlestone, Amos Nasha and Jordan Spence. Sam let Forest destroy us today by refusing to play proper solid centre halves.