Spurs showed David Moyes what not to do when it comes to his West Ham team selection for the FA Cup clash at Southampton.
West Ham are still fighting on three fronts and face a potentially historic few weeks for their hopes of success.
If West Ham can hit top form this month they could, come the March international break in three weeks, be in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, the quarter-finals of the Europa League and still right in the mix for the top four.
My Europa League Predictions.
It all starts tonight when West Ham travel to Southampton in the FA Cup.
And it all ended for bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur last night when they were beaten by Championship play-off hopefuls Middlesbrough 1-0 after extra-time.
The result raised eyebrows because Antonio Conte went full strength with his Tottenham team selection.
Team selection is an even greater dilemma for West Ham than it is Spurs this season.
Spurs show David Moyes what not to do when it comes to West Ham team selection for FA Cup clash at Southampton
David Moyes must juggle his squad to manage an intense period of important matches every three or four days.
Some fans will want Moyes to follow Conte’s lead and go full strength.
But actually Spurs showed Moyes exactly what not to do when it comes to his West Ham team selection for the FA Cup clash at Southampton.
Modern football is very much a squad game. And to have a tight-knit squad and good team spirit – which has been the very foundation of West Ham’s amazing transformation under Moyes over the last two years – players need to feel they have the chance to contribute and fight for their place.
Of course when it comes to quarter-finals, semi-finals, finals and the like most sides will be fielding their best XIs.
But at this stage you have to balance overstretching your key players with using those who have that spark and desire to showcase what they can bring to the team.
Spurs were deservedly beaten by ‘Boro with all their star players on show.
Not only will that damage the team’s confidence, it will also undoubtedly have demoralised squad players hoping for their chance.
Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said yesterday that as a manager he must give some of his squad players the chance to be involved against West Ham and suggested he would be making several changes.
Moyes has managed his squad masterfully this year. The fact West Ham are in this position, fighting on three fronts, is all the evidence you need of that.
So he will – and should – make changes tonight with Spurs giving us all a perfect and timely reminder.