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Should West Ham rotate or go full strength against Wimbledon?

By Scott Johnson

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: Manuel Pellegrini, Manager of West Ham Unted looks on prior to the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United at Vitality Stadium on January 19, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: Manuel Pellegrini, Manager of West Ham Unted looks on prior to the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and West Ham United at Vitality Stadium on January 19, 2019 in Bournemouth, United Kingdom. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /
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West Ham will be taking on AFC Wimbledon this weekend in the FA Cup before Wolves in the Premier League. Should the Irons be looking to rotate in the cup?

It’s FA Cup 4th round time, and that means Pellegrini has a decision to make about the squad and his priorities. Does he pick the strongest team possible? Does he bring in youth players? Which should West Ham focus on, a strong Premier League campaign or a shot at silverware?

In previous years the decision has been harder, because relegation has been an ever looming issue. However this year we’re in a comfortable position and relegation is unlikely to factor in unless the whole first team goes on strike. So what does Pellegrini do?

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For my money, we should play a full strength side (save for Adrian in goal as that is his role as cup keeper) and look to make sure of our progress. The West Ham fans are dying for some silverware, or at least a shot at it, and the difference between finishing 8th in the league and 12th/13th is minimal compared with making sure we give our best in the cup.

I would understand playing some youth players, especially as some of our senior players aren’t performing to the top of their ability anyway. Maybe giving Coventry some time in the middle alongside Rice would be a good shout, or playing the explosive Xande Silva or Diangana over Antonio on the right. This would give some players some rest, but also give us a good chance of winning against a much weaker side.

The last option is a full rotation, relying on the fact that our side should be beating a team a few leagues below us even with a number of players left out. This is dangerous but does allow us to prepare fully for Wolves next week in the Premier League. Risky, but could mean we’re in the hat for round 5 with the strongest chance of beating Wolves.

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Can Pellegrini manage this schedule? I sense he wants some silverware and will view that losing the game at the weekend is the worst game to lose. We all want the Hammers through to the next round, and as long as that happens with minimal injuries I don’t care what side Pellegrini picks for Saturday’s encounter.