Written by billythekid
AFCB’s First Cup Game Of The Season
Our last two league games could so easily have resulted in two wins. But yet again technology has decided the result of these games. In the away game against Nottingham Forest, the Cherries had a Dango Ouattara goal disallowed as Lewis Cook was offside, the VAR showed his shoulder was the ‘culprit’. In our last home game on Sunday, Dango Ouattara again was involved and his late goal was controversially disallowed for handball. Let’s hope our next game is decided on goals and not technology.
The Cherries have a break from Premier League football and our next game is the second round of the League Cup. AFCB have been drawn away against West Ham at the London Stadium on Wednesday at 7.45 pm, this game as all the other League Cup games will be shown live on Sky Sports +.
West Ham parted ways with their manager David Moyes when his contract ran out at the end of last season. He re-joined the Hammers/Irons on the 30th December 2019 after previously being with them from November 2017 up to May 2018. Moyes place has been taken over by Julen Lopetegui.
Lopetegui was previously at Wolves from November 2022 until five days before the season began in August 2023, he left by mutual agreement. Previously to Wolves, he had managed Sevilla, Real Madrid, Spain and Porto. His first Premier League game which was at home ended in a 1-2 defeat to Aston Villa. His first away game against Crystal Palace finished in a 0-2 win.
Last season in the League Cup West Ham were beaten 5-1 by Liverpool in the quarter-finals. In the cup games leading up to that game, they beat Lincoln City away 0-1 and at home Arsenal 3-1. AFCB and West Ham have only ever met once before in this competition and that was at their old Boleyn Ground at Upton Park, ending in a 2-0 defeat for the Cherries.
In all competitions against West Ham, AFCB have W 4, D 7, L 8.
West Ham v AFCB - EFL CupWest Ham Win
Draw
AFCB Win
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West Ham Team News
It seems they have no injury concerns, so have a strong squad to pick from.
West Ham Player To Watch
Difficult one as there are a few and not knowing who will start, as they have a tough game against Manchester City at home on Saturday. So will go with their midfield skipper Jarred Bowen. Leading scorer with 16 goals last season and had 6 assists. Opened his account this season with a goal against Crystal Palace away. Watched Mohammed Kudus in their home game against Aston Villa and he had a good game.
AFCB Team News
Apart from the injuries we know about, our side like West Ham have a strong squad to pick from. Philip Billing was missing altogether from the squad for our last game, so not sure if that was injury/illness or just dropped/left out.
AFCB Player To Watch
We may see changes for this game, but our new striker Evanilson may get a start to get some more minutes of football with his new team. Otherwise, our other new forward Daniel Jebbison may feature from the beginning plus Ouattara who has scored two goals but had them both chalked off by VAR, has looked lively.
The Referee
Peter Bankes is in charge of this game. Last season our club had him for our opening Premier League game against West Ham and away in our 0-3 victory against Manchester United.
Your say…
AFCBade said…
Toughest draw we could have had in round 1 and we have a vital game at Everton on Saturday that feels essential to get the first win given some tough games in September.
I hope we delay loan deals until post the West Ham game so play Jebbison, Travers, Aarons, Billing etc to freshen the team up after an intense game with Newcastle. I think AI will want a strong team but maybe West Ham won’t? – To join the conversation, click here.
