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FA Cup 3rd Round Preview: West Ham United travel to Gillingham

By Jeremiah Carson

MALDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: The FA Cup trophy is seen ahead the FA Cup Second Round match between Maldon and Tiptree FC abd Newport County AFC at The Wallace Binder Ground on November 29, 2019 in Maldon, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
MALDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 29: The FA Cup trophy is seen ahead the FA Cup Second Round match between Maldon and Tiptree FC abd Newport County AFC at The Wallace Binder Ground on November 29, 2019 in Maldon, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /
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It’s FA Cup time again and the age-old question comes back up as to whether West Ham will take it seriously or not. Stop one, away to Gillingham in round 3 on Sunday.

In recent years, West Ham hasn’t fared well at all in FA Cup matches but there is some type of hope that the Hammers can get it done this year. (Fingers crossed) But with all that in mind, the Hammers had about 33 miles from home to face Gillingham this weekend.

Last season the Hammers beat Birmingham City 2-0 in the third round of the cup but seemingly, this weekend match should be easier, however, don’t tell Oxford United or AFC Wimbledon that. The Hammers and Gillingham have played each other 10 times before with the last being in 2005.

West Ham has a record of 6-3-1 against the Gills and has one the previous 3 times. Now, on to the present and what the match could look like on Sunday evening. For starters, the match kicks off at 6:16 pm GMT (1:16 pm EST) and will be played at the Priestfield Stadium.

LONDON – MARCH 27: West Ham’s Matthew Etherington celebrates his winning goal with his team mates during the Nationwide Division One match between West Ham United and Gillingham at Upton Park on March 27, 2004 in London. (Photo by Graeme Robertson/Getty Images)
LONDON – MARCH 27: West Ham’s Matthew Etherington celebrates his winning goal with his team mates during the Nationwide Division One match between West Ham United and Gillingham at Upton Park on March 27, 2004 in London. (Photo by Graeme Robertson/Getty Images) /

The last time out the Gills played in 4-1-2-1-2 formation with a diamond-shaped midfield. That gives them stability in all ends but can leave the defense vulnerable to any well-organized attack. Which is what the Hammers will need to do and should continue to grow from their previous match.

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Gillingham’s have collected 9 points in the previous 5 matches and they haven’t lost since November 23rd as they currently sit in 11th place in League One. But should the Hammers really be worried about the Gills? Should they take this match seriously?

Clearly those questions shouldn’t even need to be answered as the answering is most equivocally yes. It seems that the Hammers might be without a few key pieces due to injury but at the least, they should come out with 6 or 7 first-team players.

David Moyes has come out and said that they will be taking the cup seriously and to do that, it needs to start this weekend. The Hammers need to learn from their past to prep for this match as they have been fooled twice in the last 365 days by lower league opponents.

Next. Injury replacements for West Ham in the FA Cup. dark

You won’t see our typical GSH prediction post come out for most of the early rounds of the FA Cup but if I had to give a score, I think the Hammers win big with goals coming from Ajeti, Anderson, Lanzini and move on to the next round with ease. Until then, COME ON YOU IRONS!

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