Youth set to feature as West Ham take on Shrewsbury at home
West Ham are set to stick with youth against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup.
With a big win against Huddersfield this weekend, West Ham are sitting in 11th place in the Premier League. In relative comfort compared to the rest of the season, Moyes now has a cup game to contend with. But with potential Premier League points coming up, it seems he is set to give youth a chance again in the home game against Shrewsbury.
The first tie saw a disappointing 0-0 draw. The side, with a number of young players, largely failed to hold the game down and create. However it was the senior players who were most to blame. So it seems only fair that the youth give themselves a chance to push themselves, and a chance for the team to keep momentum.
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With the 4-1 win over Huddersfield, the Hammers have not lost a game since before Christmas. With upcoming games against fellow bottom half clubs, Moyes is probably viewing those as more important. But a great cup run could keep him as manager, and a win here is the best thing for everyone.
It’s one of the most common feelings in football, but winning matches helps the side. If you win a match the good feeling around the team helps the side push on. And that is just multiplied as the side remain unbeaten or grab a series of wins. Whilst a win against Shrewsbury won’t feel as good as a win against United or Spurs, it will keep the team in the FA Cup and give the players involved a boost. Given the amount of ill will around the club at the moment, neither thing can be that bad.
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Moyes knows that his current side is pretty thin on the ground. With Carroll injured, Chicharito a maybe and Antonio out it’s vital to keep Arnautovic and Lanzini fresh for the Premier League. I expect we will see youth scattered throughout the team, and it could be a first start for Toni Martinez, who is still scoring regularly in the youth side. Josh Cullen, Reece Burke and Reece Oxford could all be in line for starts as well, and will be desperate for a win in West Ham colours.