Today’s trip to third tier Burton Albion offers West Ham challenges that many of the clubs senior players won’t have experienced for a long, long time. The perils of bumpy pitches, opposition fans close to the action and eager opponents looking to make a name for themselves with a Premier League scalp – will make life uncomfortable for the Hammers side used to the vast green swathes of London Stadium’s carpet-like turf and antiseptic atmosphere.
However for several – Jarrod Bowen and Max Kilman amongst them – lower league football was their route to the top and so today’s trip will come as a reminder of their roots.
Whilst this FA Cup tie comes at a crucial juncture in the Premier League battle, it doesn’t have to be a diversion. Reputations are made in cup clashes and for one or two fringe players, opportunity might just come knocking. Make a name for yourself today and a Premier League future beckons.
However what is evident from yesterday’s ‘inside Rush Green’ customary pre-game training video is that for the Hammers this is very much ‘business as usual’: No late additions to the senior squad in training with Ezra Mayers and Ollie Scarles being the only two academy graduates featured.
Nuno looks at new signing Lamadrid
Not added to first team squad for last minute training – Keiber Lamadrid
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No sign of West Ham’s young on-loan Venezuelan Keiber Lamadrid – many fans will have hoped to catch a glimpse of the youngster should Nuno feature a ‘B’ side to start against Burton and the player himself would surely hope to feature, having travelled half way around the world on a four month loan.
There’s a ‘vacancy’ in the squad right now with Pablo sidelined for an extensive period: A young, energetic winger with energy to close teams down in the latter stages of games could be just what the doctor ordered.
However the signs are that Nuno is taking the tie extremely seriously and will be fielding a strong side rather than incorporating the likes of Lamadrid, Kanté or Lewis Orford – which is high risk when several senior players could do with a break ahead of the last twelve games.
The full squad ‘reveal’ will be at 1115 this moring as the game kicks off at 1215 – and we’ll bring it to you first.