West Ham play Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, we spoke to Adam Allcroft of The FL72 to get the low down on the Wolves.
What do you make of West Hams start to the season?
West Ham United have been a great surprise this season but have been unfairly ignored really. It’s no surprise with the likes of Crystal Palace and Leicester City, but the Hammers shouldn’t be ignored. Dmitri Payet is something special and I’ve become a bit infatuated with Manuel Lanzini. It’s rather impressive especially after they sacked a really good manager in Sam Allardyce.
How has Wolves’ season been?
Pretty poor. After a strong return to the Championship last season, they thought they were going to get into the play offs this season. However it hasn’t turned out that way. Kenny Jackett has made a few mistakes in his transfer policy including selling the likes of Richard Stearman who provided much needed experience to a very youthful defence, a defence which has all come from the Wolves academy. This has meant they’ve been a bit daft at times and have several weaknesses, which other Championship teams have pounced upon. They’ve had a slight upturn recently though and it will be interesting to see where it goes.
Who is Wolves’ current key player?
The man everyone wants to sign, Benik Afobe. This guy is punishing. One of the best finishers in the league who has pace to burn, this guy is wanted by many of the lower Premier League teams. There are plenty of other threats, but you can shut a lot of Wolves’ play down if you cut the supply lines to Afobe.
Predicted XI?
Can’t see them changing much from the team that beat Brighton, but I expect they may try out some of younger players they have.
Ikeme, Iorfa, Batth, Ebanks-Landell, Doherty, Price, Coady, Wallace, Edwards, Graham, Afobe.
What could West Ham expect to see from Wolves in the form of tactics?
This is a Kenny Jackett team so they are going to be very organised. West Ham are going to need to be patient and either wait for a mistake from the youthful defence, or perform a piece of magic. They will also try and press.
Are there any Wolves players capable of playing in the top flight, that West Ham should be aware of?
So many. This Wolves team is very young and it explains why they have been inconsistent this season. As I’ve mentioned before, the back four all came through the academy and they will probably play at a higher level. There’s also Conor Coady, Jed Wallace, Jordan Graham and Benik Afobe who have bags of talent to spare. This is a team with a bright future if they can keep them together.
Do you think either team could make it all the way this year?
Wolves, probably not. There are ten teams that will be fighting it out for the top six places in the Championship and I’ve seen nothing from them that shows me they can fight it out up there.
West Ham, I see no reason they can’t qualify for the Europa League. This can depend if they keep Payet fit, but they have shown they can beat the best in the league.
Finally, can we have a prediction for Saturday’s match?
It will be tough, it will be a grind, but West Ham will win out 2-0.
