As much as Nuno Espirito Santo is taking the FA Cup seriously, West Ham United’s fifth-round tie with Brentford is one that Mohamadou Kante, Adama Traore, Soungoutou Magassa and Keiber Lamadrid will have circled on their calendar.
Nuno has no plans to throw in the FA Cup towel – not with a quarter-final spot up for grabs.
But with Premier League survival the obvious priority, the West Ham United boss is likely to make a few changes at the very least when Brentford make the short trip across London. Adama Traore and Mohamadou Kante will hope to make an impression, having underwhelmed against Burton Albion in round four, while Keiber Lamadrid may be in contention to make only his second appearance since arriving from Venezuela.
If you think I’m talking rubbish by naming this team vs Brentford – let me know why 👇
Alternatively, feel free to let me what (if anything) I've got spot on 😂
Ezra Mayers missed West Ham’s U21 defeat to Derby County on Friday night, meanwhile. Expect to see the teenage defender on the bench at the very least.
When it was put to our Talking Point users who they would like to see come into the starting XI, though, Soungoutou Magassa finished top of the pile.
Soungoutou Magassa could start when West Ham United face Brentford
At the time of writing, the summer signing from Monaco picked up 25 per cent of the vote, narrowly finishing above Lamadrid [20 per cent] and Kante [19 per cent].
“I would play a good team v Brentford, try and get a lead and then shut up shop. If it doesn’t work, no damage done,” one Talking Point user writes in preparation for Monday’s 8pm kick off.
“[Give a chance to] Kante or Magassa.”
Magassa impressed off the bench at Fulham on Wednesday night. The form of Mateus Fernandes and Tomas Soucek means starts have been few and far between of late, that Burton clash in round four the only one to come his way since January 3rd.
“Definitely [start] Kante,” another says. “Been impressed with his cameos this season. Traore needs to impress after his poor start as well.”
Nuno may be tempted to rest Jarrod Bowen, Crysencio Summerville, Mateus Fernandes, Axel Disasi and probably Taty Castellanos too, in the knowledge that one ill-timed injury could prove fatal to their survival hopes.
Fortunately, with the academy boasting an array of budding young talent and with the likes of Magassa, Traore and Callum Wilson playing supporting roles, Nuno can switch up his XI while also giving the cup the attention it deserves.
“Strongest team has to play. I want the FA Cup,” one of the more bullish West Ham fans writes on our Facebook page.
“We need to go all out. Keep the momentum going, we can’t afford team spirit to take a hit. We are in a good place, let’s push on.”
“We picked up some silver not too far back [the 2022/23 Europa Conference League title]. Let’s go for the Cup!”
“I wasn’t born when they won it last [in 1980], so would be amazing! We can dream! Come on boys.”
“Do we rest players for the Brentford game? Or go flat out and win? Winning becomes a habit, so I say [play the] strongest team.”
“Come on, we need to field a strong team and then change some. Winning helps with confidence.”
“I agree with anyone who says don’t tinker. The team is starting to gel. Leave ’em be.”
Nuno Espirito Santo warned not to risk injuries with Premier League survival on the line
What would you sacrifice for FA Cup GLORY?
Surely not your Premier League status…
“Why bottle it? The players all want to play. It’s not as if we are playing in Europe. Close to Wembley, grow a pair. Play our best team. Win. Gain confidence.”
Others, though, feel the rewards of a quarter-final berth are overshadowed by the risks of a damaging injury blow at the worst-possible moment.
“Bowen, Fernandes and Summerville need a rest.”
“Seeing [people say we should] put out a strong side ? I disagree. Why? We could pick up injuries which would be bad management and a disaster! We don’t need the cup, we need to stay up, common sense really!”
“This is not our priority, survival is.”
“Subs bench for our main players, ready for [next weekend’s clash with Manchester] City, and bring them on if it’s not working.”
“We cannot risk injuries at this stage. Premier League survival is the priority.”
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