Hammers dig deep as absences bite hard

It's pretty thin in the West ham dressing room right now with Kudus and Aguerd at the AFCON and Alvarez, Paqueta and Antonio injured. Said Benrahma starts his 3 match ban leaving a patched together side to face the Blades up in Sheffield.

Yes, it's still a grudge match and both sides really needs points just now, albeit for very different reasons with the Hammers perched to attack the European slots, while Sheff United are rock bottom of the league.

All in all the availability of Bowen and Fornals is a plus but there are no gamechangers on the bench which contains a host of youngsters. 

It'll be a testy clash for sure and conditions will surely add to the mix. It might be more heavy metal than ballet out there today but hopefully the Hammers can find that extra moment of class.

COYI!!!

WEST HAM: Areola, Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Emerson Palmieri, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Cornet,  Fornals, Ings, Bowen

Ouch! Moyes starting XI signals serious intentions

There can be no doubting that David Moyes plans to make swift progress in the FA cup as he has fielded his strongest available XI for today's third roud clash with Bristol City!

In come Zouma, Paqueta and Coufal with al the usual big game starters. Perhaps Moyes was bruised by the Carabou cup thrashing at Liverpool, or maybe with a break looming he wants his players to have some fun?

Yes, the forbidden 'F' word....fun, fun, fun.

Let's do this

COYI!!!

West Ham: Fabiański, Coufal, Zouma ©, Mavropanos, Emerson, Álvarez, Souček, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta, Fornals, Bowen

Subs: Areola (GK), Johnson, Cresswell, Ings, Ogbonna, Coventry, Benrahma, Cornet, Mubama

Let's keep the happy holiday spirit going

It's FA cup time as Championship mid-tablers Bristol City visit the London Stadium hoping to deliver an upset against high flying West Ham. 

The Hammers are depleted with Aguerd and Kudus on International duty, and both Zouma and Paqueta due to have fitness tests before the team is announced. 

David Moyes will want to avoid a defeat or a replay to allow for a much-needed fortnight's rest before our next Premiership clash with Sheffield United. After an excellent Christmas period with wins over Man Utd and Arsenal, and no goals conceded for four consecutive games, it's a tall order for Bristil City today, but the Cup is the cup, and usual bets are often put aside in what remains a fantastic competition.

Today's game could provide a farewell appearance for Said Benrahma who is rumoured to be Fulham bound in the transfer window.

Divin Mubama will be hoping for a rare start and a chance to lay stake to a key place in Moyes plans as Danny Ings may also be on his way out of the club leaving a sizeable gap at centre forward with Michail Antonio struggling for fitness (and form). 

Kick off is 2pm. Verywestham will be watching from The Inn Place in Puerto Del Carmen - a fine Hammers hostelry for vacationing Irons. It also features an impressive display of Hammers memorabilia throughout the bar.

The bookies have West ham at 4/11 on to win, 3/1 the draw and 6/1 for a Robins win.

COYI!!!