West Ham’s game away at Manchester City has been rearranged for Wednesday February 19th, as confirmed via the club’s official website.
And some Hammers fans have taken to Twitter in reaction to the news…
I’m sure someone will quickly work out how much of a so called mandatory winter break we will have had compared to other clubs. Did the club agree to this or was there no choice? The conspiracist in me tells me this was done to suit Man City.
— Argheffbee (@54bobb) February 11, 2020
Might be a blessing in disguise. Imagine if it was arranged for mid week, sandwiched between two winnable games. Don’t risk any unfit players for next two games. Some players who play against Cith can be rested if need be against Liverpool
— football index AH (@nuuuge) February 11, 2020
Just get on with it. A free hit. You never know (unless like all of us you do)
— Jimmygoldsmith (@Jimmygoldsmith) February 11, 2020
So much for the Winter break then!
— Vincent Bean ⚒️ 🏴 🇬🇧 (@VincentBHammer) February 11, 2020
Why have we agreed to that? We should have played it later when city have games to fit. Respect the season break
— Paul Palmer (@PPalmer1961) February 11, 2020
What a joke. City should refund every away fan. They cancelled it nobody else
— Henry (@henrywass) February 11, 2020
I give up why have we agreed to that? then Liverpool a few days later great for team confidence 😡⚒
— Mark Cocklin (@MarkCocklin1) February 11, 2020
What about the winter break?
— Gary Prince (@GaryAPrince) February 11, 2020
Noooooo where’s our winter break then ?
— Lee Crane (@LeeCrane1) February 11, 2020
Why????
— Peter Curtis (@Peter_Curtis1) February 11, 2020
So much for a winter break….
— ℙ𝕁 (@Fu11er) February 11, 2020
Why would you do this? How about thinking about your own supporters @WestHam #Numpties
— Mark Wise (@MarkWis50905813) February 11, 2020
THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE JOKE
— Stephen George Lott (@stephenlott) February 11, 2020
Despite the West Ham fans’ comments, the rearranged date might actually work in the east London outfit’s favour.
City face Leicester away on Saturday 22nd February, just three days after the West Ham game. The Hammers, meanwhile, don’t play again until Monday the 24th, when they travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola’s side also face Real Madrid away a week after they play host to David Moyes’s men at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola and David Moyes (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Who knows? West Ham might just catch City cold. The reigning Premier League champions also might be tempted to play a weakened side, with so many big games coming up away from the Premier League.
Guardiola will surely now be prioritising the FA Cup and Champions League, considering the fact that they are 22 points adrift of Liverpool in the title race.
Whatever happens, West Ham will have to be on their absolute best form, if they are to have any chance against Manchester City.
And with absolutely no expectations, the Hammers might just spring a surprise at the Etihad.
Although history certainly isn’t on their side. West Ham have lost their last seven league meetings with City and have only ever won once at the Etihad.