From Keiber Lamadrid and Mohamadou Kante to benchwarmers Adama Traore and Soungoutou Magassa, West Ham United’s FA Cup trip to Burton Albion is the chance many have been waiting for.
Nuno Espirito Santo plans to ring the changes at the Pirelli Stadium.
Exactly how many changes remains to be seen. Nuno is determined to ensure West Ham United do not exit the cup with a whimper as Burton dream of becoming the fourth League One outfit since 2012 to send the Londoners packing.
A very good omen for Burton… 🏆 🍻
What message do you have for Nuno ahead of the FA Cup 4th round?
But as Nuno confirms that Pablo Felipe faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines due to what appears to be a semi-serious injury, the Hammers boss also faces the tricky challenge of balancing cup commitments with the need to keep his key players fresh and fit for an exhausting relegation battle.
Alphonse Areola will start in place of Mads Hermansen. That is the one change Nuno was willing to confirm during his press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Hammers News posit that Adama Traore will make his full debut on the wing – Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville should not be required against a side sitting 20th in League One, emphasis on should – while Keiber Lamadrid, Mohamadou Kante, Ezra Mayers and more will likely have had this game circled on the calendar as soon as the fourth round draw was made.
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Nuno faces West Ham selection dilemma in FA Cup as Keiber Lamadrid waits in the wings
We at Hammers News asked you ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off which of Greg Lincoln’s Under-21s you would like to see start in Staffordshire.
At the time of writing, the Venezuela international surprisingly signed on loan from Deportivo la Guaira finishes top of the polls. Keiber Lamadrid showed West Ham what all the fuss is about with a thumping edge-of-the-box strike on his Under-21 debut earlier this month.
His agent, though, insists that West Ham signed Lamadrid for the first-team, rather than the reserves. With a £1 million option-to-buy clause in his contract, one suspects Nuno will be keen to have a closer look a player the board have described as a ‘lottery ticket’ signing.
Keiber Lamadrid epitomises the ‘low risk, high reward’ strategy perfected by the three Bs of Brentford, Bournemouth and Brighton. Brighton, in particular; Moises Caicedo, Alexis MacAllister and Julio Enciso all moved to the Amex as relative unknowns straight out of South America.
Mohamadou Kante earned a further 35 per cent of the vote. West Ham’s powerhouse prospect has been likened to Patrick Vieira on more than one occasion, due to his rangy stride and a frame that dwarves most.
Standout performances against MK Dons, Swindon Town, Colchester United and Reading in the EFL Trophy suggest that Kante would have few problems if Nuno selects him to start at Burton.
One fan wants to see Lewis Orford and Daniel Cummings included
Finlay Herrick, Airidas Golambeckis, Lewis Orford and Preston Fearon may appear among the substitutes. Scotland youth striker Daniel Cummings scored a stunner against Anderlecht in the Premier League International Cup on Wednesday. He may also be hoping to obtain some first-team minutes.
“Would like to see Orford start alongside Magassa and [Freddie] Potts,” writes one of our TalkingPoints users. “We need some width, so maybe Lamadrid. Taty [Castellanos] might be rested.
“[Josh] Landers or Cummings, Cummings impressed me for the Under21’s last night. Very strong, will not be frightened of Burton.”
Will Nuno ring the chances for Burton? 🛎️ 🏆
Which youngster do you want to see make his full West Ham debut?
“Don’t put any of our first-team at risk of injury,” another pleads, the absence of Pablo making it even more imperative that Castellanos remains available. “We won’t win the cup but, with some luck and a lot of effort, we might just stay in the Premiership.”
“Wouldn’t play Taty. If he can’t last a whole game in the Premier League, why risk him?”
“Don’t play Taty!”
The other, more pragmatic train of thought is that Nuno should field a strong side like the one which crept past QPR in extra-time. Go a goal or two up before the break, and then give the youngsters a chance.
“Start strong, secure the win and then make changes,” one fan writes on our Facebook page. “An embarrassing upset could change the entire mood around how well things have gone recently.”
“Premier league before a cup.”
“All effort needs to go into the league.”
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