West Ham United club captain Mark Noble has admitted it will be difficult for the Hammers to have a cup run this season ahead of this afternoon’s third round tie with Leeds United.
David Moyes’ side are currently enjoying a fine campaign, having already qualified for the last-16 of the Europa League, while also being well in the mix for a top four finish in the Premier League.
And with games set to come thick and fast over the course of the second half of the season, and even more so after the recent Covid outbreak, West Ham could see the FA Cup as an opportunity to hand fringe players some gametime.
The Hammers’ clash with Leeds is the first of three consecutive home games in just seven days, with their midweek match with Norwich City set to be followed by another encounter with the Whites.
Due to their intense schedule, Noble has acknowledged that changes are almost guaranteed for today’s match, however vowed to give ‘everything’ in what is his final season with the club.
Via quotes from whufc.com, he said: “We play Norwich here on Wednesday in the Premier League on Wednesday, then Leeds again in the League the other side of that, so it’s tough to have a right go at the FA Cup now.
“Premier League points are so important in this day and age to everyone – to managers and owners – and obviously the FA Cup has taken a bit of a backward step.
“There are so many games at home, in Europe and internationals that some managers see it as a chance to give youngsters a go and give their senior pros a rest.
“That’s not to say I think that’s right, because for me it’s such an incredible cup and there is so much history in this competition in this country, but it has.
“It seems the cups are now put a little bit to the wayside by the Premier League, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be giving it absolutely everything to get through today and go all the way to the final.”
