Given West Ham’s precarious position in the Premier League, there will understandably be calls for Nuno Espírito Santo to rotate his team for Monday night’s FA Cup clash against Brentford.
Personally, I don’t agree.
If the fixture were sandwiched between two crucial Premier League matches with little or no recovery time, then of course survival would take priority. But with a five-day gap between games and back-to-back home fixtures, there is little reason why West Ham shouldn’t go all-out for a proper run in the FA Cup.
In fact, you could argue that the competition has actually helped West Ham rediscover some form. Victories against Queens Park Rangers and Burton Albion have clearly boosted confidence around the squad.
West Ham Should Back Momentum Rather Than Rotate
There is also the obvious issue that West Ham simply don’t have the squad depth to make sweeping changes.
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But make no mistake — with the strongest XI on the pitch, Brentford are a very beatable side.
There will inevitably be calls to wrap certain players in cotton wool, and I would understand if Espírito Santo chose to rest players such as Matthias Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville. You could also make a reasonable case for giving Jarrod Bowen a breather.
However, for me that’s about as far as the rotation should go — and even then all three would remain on the bench.
I would still select Axel Disasi in central defence and continue to deploy Taty Castellanos in attack to give the Hammers the best possible chance of progressing.
Such has been the lift in mood around the club recently that there is little reason to halt the momentum now.
If anything, West Ham should be looking to continue their resurgence — both in the league and in the FA Cup