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David Moyes has declared aspirations of winning the FA Cup with West Ham United but is keen to strike a balance with their Premier League campaign ahead of facing Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

A Hammers win at the London Stadium this weekend will see the club reach the fifth round of the competition for the first time in five seasons, after losing to West Bromwich Albion, AFC Wimbledon, Wigan Athletic and Manchester City in recent years.

Moyes will be looking to end the Irons’ torrid run by naming as strong a side as possible against their League One opposition, though is aware of the need to afford a rest for those who have featured frequently already this term.

“I want to win the FA Cup if I can, I really do,” Moyes said. “I want to be strong in the cup competitions, but I’ve also got to be mindful of the amount of games we’re playing. I think it’s really beginning to take its toll on so many clubs. We’ve been good with injuries and I want to keep it that way.”

So, with that in mind, here’s a potential line-up West Ham could name as they look to repeat their successes of the 2015/16 campaign, when they ventured as far as the quarter-finals…

Arthur Masuaku is West Ham’s sole injury concern ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup tie as the DR Congo international continues his rehabilitation from knee surgery.

Michail Antonio may be afforded a rest after starting the Hammers’ last two Premier League fixtures amid his return from a second hamstring injury of the campaign, with Moyes keen to find a balance between relying on his sole senior centre-forward and allowing him time to rediscover his best form.

“I think there’s part of Michail Antonio that needs a rhythm,” the Irons boss said. “I think if you look at his best form, he sometimes needs to get picked up when he’s a bit rusty at the start, but then he gets into full flow.”

Antonio sitting out the Doncaster affair may allow youth striker Mipo Odubeko the chance to earn his first senior start, with the 18-year-old having made his Irons debut from the bench in the third round win over Stockport County earlier this month.

Fellow Hammers academy graduate Ben Johnson may also expect to start at home to Doncaster after opening the Stockport win, partnering Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson at the back as Moyes opts to retain his current centre-back pairing who have kept four clean sheets in their last five games together.

Ryan Fredericks will hope to be given a rare appearance as he pushes for greater minutes, with the £40,000-per-week full-back having played only 91 minutes across all competitions since September.

Darren Randolph will also be expected to start in goal after recording shut outs in West Ham’s 1-0 wins over Stockport and Everton earlier this month.

Said Benrahma has begun to settle at West Ham following his loan move from Brentford in the previous transfer window, and will be expected to once again start in the forward midfield line in search of his first goal in claret and blue.

Pablo Fornals and Andriy Yarmolenko could offer further senior experience in behind youth star Odubeko, if favoured over Antonio.

Mark Noble may also be recalled to partner Tomas Soucek – who sat out the Stockport win – to allow Declan Rice a rare break, having featured in all but two of West Ham’s 23 matches across all competitions this season.

AND in other news – Exclusive: Pundit drops verdict on West Ham’s interest in a lethal striker adored by a Moyes favourite.

Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to end a run of three straight defeats in the Premier League when they welcome relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion to north London this lunchtime.

Jose Mourinho has seen his side slip to ninth in the table following their recent run of disappointing form and will be wanting to see a reaction against the Baggies today.

He’ll still be without leading talisman Harry Kane, so what sort of side could we see lineup at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?

Here’s the XI we’re predicting as well as the latest team and injury news…

In the absence of the Englishman, Mourinho will have to decide whether or not to trust back-up striker Carlos Vinicius upfront again and his post-game comments after defeat to Chelsea could provide the answer.

“Vinicius, for example, is a player that has incredible spirit but his understanding of how to press, the positions on the pressing are not something that he’s still comfortable with so it was difficult, yes, but no chances,” he told BT Sport, via the Metro.

Instead, we may see Heung-min Son pushed into the sole striker role with Gareth Bale coming back into the starting XI having not featured at all against the Blues.

We could also see Lucas Moura given a rare start in attack as Steven Bergwijn’s goalless run continues to rumble on. He last scored for Spurs in June 2020.

In the number ten role, Tanguy Ndombele is likely to continue but Mourinho may look to rotate his other midfield options with Harry Winks taking the place of axed Frenchman, Moussa Sissoko.

The Englishman would then partner Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at the base of the three-man engine room.

A fourth and final change could come defensively as once again, Spurs failed to keep out the opposition and whilst it was Eric Dier who conceded the penalty in midweek, we may instead witness Toby Alderweireld being dropped for what would be the fifth time in eight league outings.

In would come Joe Rodon to replace the £18m-rated Belgian and to partner Dier with both Serge Aurier and Ben Davies continuing on the flanks, all in front of club captain Hugo Lloris.

AND in other news, Forget Dier: £18m-rated calamity shockingly let Spurs down in Chelsea defeat…

Reports by Football Insider earlier this month claimed West Ham Untied could rival Arsenal for the signature of Ajani Burchall, and David Moyes should be pushing the Irons hierarchy to secure the services of the AFC Bournemouth contract rebel.

It was initially proposed by The Sun that the Gunners had begun chasing Burchall on a free transfer after the 16-year-old whizkid snubbed a scholarship offer from his Championship side.

Now, the teenage forward is set to leave the Vitality Stadium in the summer and has several Premier League sides queueing up for his capture, headed by Mikel Arteta’s north London natives.

West Ham are said to be paying close attention to developments regarding the Bermudan youngster, who is still at school, after he became the Cherries’ third-youngster-ever senior player when handed his debut as a late substitute against Huddersfield Town in December.

He is yet to add to his record following Jason Tindall’s sacking, with interim head coach Jonathan Woodgate opting against awarding the winger any first-team involvement so far.

Tindall was a firm believer in Burchall’s potential, telling the Daily Echo in December: “I’ve been aware of Ajani for a while. Ajani’s been one that has been performing consistently well for some time now.”

Burchall also has a lot of confidence in himself and takes pride in his regular place in Bournemouth’s Under 18s despite his tender age.

“I feel privileged that I’m 16 playing with the Under 18s, but I’m striving to be one of the best on the Under 18 squad,” he said, via quotes by Ber News.

West Ham should now be positing themselves strongly to lure Burchall to east London and afford the teenager the chance to prove himself as one of the best in Kevin Keen’s U18s, as the Bournemouth product could go on to become the Irons next Declan Rice.

Obviously, Rice and Burchall play in two completely separate positions, but West Ham signed Rice after he was rejected in his teens by Chelsea and nurtured the midfielder into a fully-fledged Premier League star and England international.

His progress also saw the London Stadium natives slap an £80m asking price on the 22-year-old last summer as Frank Lampard sought to lure Rice back to Stamford Bridge, while the 13-time Three Lions star’s efforts since are said to have Liverpool and Manchester United paying close attention.

It’s too early to say if Burchall can go on to become a forward worth as much to West Ham as Rice is, but his potential is evident in his will to take on opponents and display his eye for goal in Bournemouth’s academy ranks.

The Cherries laud their young prodigy for his tough-tackling, hard-working and exciting play on the wings in Alan Connell’s side, where he has played a majority of matches available this term, as well.

If the 16-year-old can continue to build on his early promise, gain a greater taste of senior football and arrive for free, it’s surely a no brainer for West Ham to rival Arsenal.

AND in other news, West Ham have been tipped to sign a 21-year-old talent his manager feels “personally let-down” by…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Dean Windass revealed that the vacant Celtic manager’s position could appeal to Roberto Martinez.

The Spaniard is currently managing the number one ranked international side in the World; Belgium, so it would be a surprising move if he did come to Glasgow.

That being said, talkSPORT presenter Jim White believes that Martinez is one of the names on Celtic’s shortlist to replace Neil Lennon.

The Northern Irishman finally resigned from his post earlier this week after the club lost 1-0 to Ross County.

It has been a torrid campaign for the Bhoys with their fiercest rivals, Rangers, now requiring just seven points to win the SPFL.

John Kennedy has been placed in temporary charge of the squad while they search for a new boss, and Windass believes Martinez could fit the bill.

He exclusively told Football FanCast:

“I think that would appeal to him, yes. I’ve worked with him and he’s a gentleman.

“He had Graeme Jones as his coach who has obviously gone to Newcastle with Brucey. Yes, it would be a good appointment. Would he take Jones with him again? Would he leave Newcastle? They sort of follow each other right from their careers.

“They actually played in the same team at Wigan when I played against Wigan in the 90s. So that was the affinity will be between two lads really, so they’re probably best mates and he went with him Belgium as well.

“Shaun Maloney’s there too. So that would be a good fit, that would be a very good fit. That’s a great shout.”

Martinez is known for a possession-based style of football, taking Swansea City to the English Championship and then winning the FA Cup with Wigan.

He managed Everton in the Premier League before taking on the Belgium job, a post he’s had mixed success in.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-on-celtics-managerial-vacancy” title=”Check out the latest on Celtic’s managerial vacancy!”]

The 47-year-old has taken Belgium to the top of FIFA’s rankings despite finishing third at the last World Cup. That achievement saw him nominated for FIFA’s Manager of the Year in 2018; an award ultimately won by Didier Deschamps.

With the European Championships to come this summer, Martinez would surely only jump ship once the tournament’s done – that’s providing Celtic do appeal to the Spaniard.

AND in other news, Dembele could be convinced to stay if Celtic appoint “special” 42 y/o Lennon successor…

According to a report by club insiders Claret & Hugh, via West Ham news, defender Fabian Balbuena has made up his mind over leaving east London and will depart at the end of this season when his contract expires.

Balbuena, who briefly forced his way back into the team under David Moyes, partnering Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Cresswell consistently in a back three at the back end of the last calendar year, will now leave according to C&H.

Indeed, with no new deal on the table for him, the Paraguayan has apparently made up his mind and has decided to move on from West Ham when his current contract officially runs out.

The 29-year-old has recently had to watch summer signing Craig Dawson take his mantle in the starting eleven, and when Ogbonna succumbed to injury, Issa Diop was the chosen defensive partner by Moyes.

Flocking to this update, many Hammers fans had their say – find all of their best comments down below.

West Ham fans react to Balbuena development

“Noooo I rate this lad”

Credit: @daggers496

“How stupid though, great squad depth. Wont even get a fee for him”

Credit: @szn_bowen

“Very bizarre we aren’t keeping him. We have 3 senior CBs left. Reports Alves will step up but I feel we need another senior.”

Credit: @westhamtransfer

“This hurts but it’s completely understandable

He is good enough to be starting every game”

Credit: @MattIngram28

“Day ruined”

Credit: @WhuJosh

“Bang out of order alienating him like that. Was injured then got COVID which extended his absence but he hasn’t put a foot wrong for us this season”

Credit: @DanOCon23169711

“Another good player going for nothing”

Credit: @HarryZippyAx

“Big shame. I like the guy and he’s a good squad player who knows the club.”

Credit: @WesthamVan1

In other news: West Ham fans also flocked to a transfer claim, find out more here.

Slowly but surely, Crystal Palace are starting to look like better bets to stay in the Premier League.

Of course, their 4-1 battering at the hands of Tottenham on Sunday evening provided evidence to the contrary but a period of three unbeaten games before that must have pleased Roy Hodgson.

The Eagles have been incredibly inconsistent this season and that shone through in north London over the weekend. Spurs haven’t been particularly swashbuckling in recent months but the effervescent trio of Harry Kane, Heung-min Son and Gareth Bale all ran riot on Sunday.

How Hodgson would love for three players of their quality. Bale looks back to his best and in the process of scoring twice, was a lively energetic threat.

The same cannot be said for Palace’s right-hand side where Andros Townsend severely disappointed. The winger began his career at Spurs where he played for 16 years, starting out as a young schoolboy to becoming a senior professional.

Yet, on Sunday evening, he showed exactly why he never made a name for himself at the very top of the game.

Townsend was devoid of much quality and very rarely had a chance to threaten the Spurs backline. Of course, there are better litmus tests for this Eagles attack but the 29-year-old did little to try and haunt his former employers.

He was hauled off after just 65 minutes having had a minimal impact on proceedings. Townsend touched the ball on just 40 occasions which was the lowest tally of any outfield Palace player to start the match.

On top of that, the winger made only 13 passes during his time on the field. That was fewer than goalkeeper Vicente Guaita and only more than Hodgson’s three substitutes; Wilfried Zaha, Jeffrey Schlupp and Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Townsend clearly isn’t as creative and hustling as he once was. The attacker managed a solitary key pass and when faced with the likes of Sergio Reguilon and Son in the channels, he often came out second best; winning just 37.5% of his defensive duels.

The fact that Hodgson took him off so early into the game spoke volumes, especially when it was the defence who were being given the biggest runaround.

Townsend did his best to inject a slice of energy into proceedings, and as he always proves, he was willing to work hard for the team. Yet, the forward’s end product was ultimately missing.

With Zaha now back from injury, the former England international better be wary. His place in the team could soon be under threat.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Mateta: 22-goal Palace target could create dream attack for Hodgson…

David Moyes could land a defender more productive than Craig Dawson by sealing a bargain swoop for Celtic-owned centre-back Jack Hendry this summer.

What’s the word?

According to 90min, the Irons have joined the race for Hendry ahead of the next transfer window as interest continues to swell for his services.

Hendry is currently on loan with KV Oostende and is expected to join the Belgian Pro League outfit permanently at the end of the season, owing to a £2m purchase clause in his contract.

But Oostende may look to make a quick profit, as scouts from West Ham, Leicester City, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United are all keeping tabs on his situation, while Burnley saw a bid rejected in January for the centre-back now excepted to be rated at around £10m.

Several Premier League and Championship clubs, along with Bundesliga duo SV Werder Bremen and SC Freiburg, plus AZ Alkmaar, Brondby IF and KRC Genk have also been touted as potential destinations for the 25-year-old previously.

Hendry has not ruled out a return to Celtic, either, with reports by the Mirror over the weekend claiming the three-cap international could chase a second chance at Parkhead while he eyes a return to the Scotland national side.

The centre-half has not represented his country since 2018 but has seen his profile grow this season, having helped Oostende go from a side that narrowly avoided relegation last term to one with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League at the end of the campaign.

Should West Ham sign Hendry?

West Ham are expected to be in the market for a new central defender at the end of the season, with Moyes said to be on the lookout for at least one or two senior options who can supplement the current group assembled at the London Stadium.

Whether Hendry is in the running remains to be seen, but the Celtic-owned enforcer could represent a cheaper option than most and is currently performing at a more productive level than the Irons are seeing from Dawson – who Moyes has confirmed he wants to retain.

The Hammers were not afraid to submit big bids for defenders last summer, with Sky Sports claiming that a £30m offer was made for Burnley’s James Tarkowski. The Sun also suggested a £25m bid was on the cards for Olympique de Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car, who would have been presented with a £150,000-per-week contract.

Hendry could come at a fraction of those sums and has been lauded by Oostende boss Alexander Blessin, who noted in November: “He’s a great talker in defence. He makes the people he’s playing with better. You can see them listening to him.

“He’s been a tower of experience for us. Jack’s the most important member of the team this season and he’s one of the best defenders in the league. When you get signed by a club the size of Celtic at such a young age, then you obviously must have a lot of qualities.”

Dawson is likewise often lauded for his leadership for West Ham, yet has offered Moyes fewer successful tackles per game (0.5) in the Premier League this season than Hendry has averaged in the Pro League (1.2) to date, per SofaScore.

Hendry also averages more clearances (4.5) than Dawson (4.0), wins possession in the air more often (2.9, 76% to 2.6, 70%) and is yet to make an error that leads to a shot, while the Watford-loanee has committed two thus far.

Moyes may not install Hendry as a starting option next season but if the West Ham boss is looking for depth and does not want to spend excessively, winning the European-wide race may be a reasonable route to go.

AND in other news, David Moyes has confirmed his intent for West Ham to sign a £42k-p/w brute this summer…

Many Arsenal fans have been left to slam the display of Nicolas Pepe in their 1-0 home loss to Olympiacos in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening.

Youssef El Arabi, who scored in the first leg, got the only goal of the game at the Emirates Stadium with a deflected effort off of Gabriel that flew past Bernd Leno, but Mikel Arteta’s team still went through into the quarter-final stage of the competition with an overall 3-2 aggregate win.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was guilty of missing a handful of glorious opportunities to score, but it was the performance of Pepe that flattered to deceive several supporters of the North London club.

The former Lille man lost out on 10 of his duels, the most out of any of his teammates, and also failed to make a single key pass or cross in the game (Sofascore).

He also lost possession of the ball no fewer than on 16 different occasions in the match, the joint-second most out of any Gunners player, as he earned a pretty poor 5.8 overall rating on Sofascore, only worsened by Aubameyang.

Arsenal fan reaction to Pepe display

These Gooners slammed his performance on Twitter, with one AFC fan even going as far as to claim that the Ivory Coast international is a ‘massive fraud’:

“Pepe playing nonsense because Saka is not available.”

Credit: @adio40

“David Luiz makes mistakes, but he is a solid centre half. Pepe I’m done with, just hasn’t got enough quality to do the basics of the game right in my opinion”

Credit: @wynnemic

“Pepe is so frustrating to watch, but that miss by Aubameyang sums up why Arsenal are better off without him – No desire, no thought process, nothing. Disgusting effort. 3 more years of this? God help us. #AFC”

Credit: @H1ghbury4orever

“Awful shot Pepe…. Our shooting has been awful all game. #AFC”

Credit: @CarlBovis_AFC

“Every time you think that Pepe’s cracked it in this team he has a game like this where he’s just sloppy beyond belief and struggles with the basics of controlling and passing a football! #AFC”

Credit: @DJ_CTex23

“Pepe is a massive fraud simply not good enough #afc”

Credit: @420ghost90

In other news, find out whose display was slammed in the first leg here!

Liverpool have reportedly been joined by Juventus in the race for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have been linked to the Frenchman on numerous occasions, with Klopp reportedly keen to add to his midfield ranks especially with the expected departure of Georginio Wijnaldum.

However, they are set to be in a battle with Serie A giants Juventus for his signature according to TuttoSport.

Liverpool need to make sure they are victorious in their pursuit of Aouar.

At just 22 years of age, the midfielder has forged a reputation as one of the most promising players in Europe.

He has accumulated plenty of experience despite his tender years, racking up 163 appearances for Lyon, scoring 30 goals and providing 31 assists.

The £45m-rated midfielder has also already been afforded opportunities on the international stage, making his international debut in a 7-1 thumping of Ukraine in October 2020 – a game in which he racked up two assists.

Aouar’s performances have not just earned him admirers in the recruitment departments of some of Europe’s biggest clubs though. Even his fellow professionals are taking notice.

Following Lyon’s 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium in the UEFA Champions League group stages this season, Manchester City creator Kevin De Bruyne hailed the Frenchman’s “fantastic” performance.

So with Georginio Wijnaldum seemingly set to depart Anfield and Aouar only having two years left to run on his current contract, there does not seem a better time for Michael Edwards to move for the midfielder.

It will not be easy to combat the likes of Juventus in the transfer market but he needs to make sure that the Reds secure Aouar sooner rather than later or miss out on him to a European rival.

AND in more news, take a look at which Liverpool starlet has been handed a devastating injury blow ahead of the latest round of international games…

Many Leicester City fans have been lauding the display of Caglar Soyuncu as Turkey ran out 3-0 winners away at Norway on Saturday evening.

The defender managed to get himself on the scoresheet and was overall a rock for his country, keeping out the likes of Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard in what was a stellar performance.

Soyuncu won no fewer than four of his duels in the game, the joint-third most out of any of his teammates to have set foot on the pitch, as he also topped Turkey’s charts for clearances (five) and blocked shots (two). Such figures earned the 24-year-old a very impressive 7.9 overall rating on Sofascore, the second highest out of any player on the night behind teammate Ozan Tufan (8.7), who scored their other two goals.

Leicester fans on Soyuncu display

These Leicester fans lauded his performance on Twitter, with one supporter going as far as to claim that the 24-year-old was ‘incredible’:

“I heard Soyuncu had a belter of a game today. Very happy for him. Haaland in his back pocket as well the icing on the cake lcfc #Turkey”

Credit: @Sunil_YG30

“Well it looks like Haaland will be coming to #lcfc! In the back of Soyuncu’s pocket! #NORTUR”

Credit: @paulifd

“The goal and performance so far today added to his recent #lcfc form, Soyuncu looks back to his best!”

Credit: @Chris89Bennett

“Soyuncu pocketing Haaland. Don’t come at the Leicester boys it won’t work”

Credit: @EvDecosta9

“Soyuncu is passing the Haaland test”

Credit: @AllThingsLCFC

“Sat here watching Soyuncu pocket Haaland, and it’s incredible #Turkey #Norway #NORTUR”

Credit: @TheSirRobotto

In other news, find out what FA Cup news has left Foxes fuming here!