West Ham Will Rue Missed FA Cup Opportunity

West Ham United are treading water once again in the Premier League in the 2018/19 campaign.

The Hammers are not going to be relegated from the division, but on the other hand, they have not got the quality to challenge for a place in the top six.

Pellegrini “Ashamed” Of West Ham Players Following Shock Cup Exit #epl: Manuel Pellegrini said he felt “ashamed” of his players during West Ham’s humiliating 4-2 defeat by AFC Wimbledon in the fourth r… https://t.co/T9o3XsMzoW pic.twitter.com/Kj0s0wIOsy

— EPL Feeds (@eplfeeds) January 27, 2019

There’s still the hope of securing seventh spot in the table, which could be good enough for a place in the Europa League. However, the competition will be fierce from Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Watford, leaving Manuel Pellegrini and his team with a massive task ahead to achieve the goal of European football.

Finishing in the top half alone is an objective that will not be easy, although the Hammers are backed at 11/10 in the sports betting odds found on the Mr Green app. Given how tightly compressed the teams are in the middle of the table, one result can change the complexion rapidly.

With their goals in the Premier League seemingly out of reach, the FA Cup could have provided supporters with the hope of silverware for the first time since 1980. Pellegrini’s men were handed a favourable draw in the fourth round of the competition after beating Birmingham City in the third round. AFC Wimbledon were bottom of League One heading into their showdown at Kingsmeadow and the West Ham boss signalled that he was taking the tie seriously by naming a strong side.

The contest turned into what Pellegrini described as a “disaster” for his team. The Dons put the Premier League outfit for the sword in the first half, surging into a 3-0 lead courtesy of a brace from Scott Wagstaff and a strike from Kwesi Appiah. Pellegrini made three changes, including bringing Felipe Anderson on from the bench.

AFC Wimbledon beat West Ham 4-2. They’re in the hat for the next round ???? pic.twitter.com/jT10QuZ2Sl

— Dugout (@Dugout) January 26, 2019

Although the Hammers were able to reduce the deficit, Wimbledon would secure the tie with a last-minute strike to advance to the fifth round. The League One side will be facing off against Millwall. The contest would have certainly whet the appetite of the Hammers’ supporters given their fierce rivalry, while also offering the club an opportunity to advance to the quarter-finals.

Only Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea remain in the draw that would pose a huge problem for Pellegrini’s men. Either United or Chelsea would not have been a problem given that they are playing one another in the fifth round. A path could have been laid clear to at least the semi-finals where anything can happen. Therefore losing to Wimbledon was a missed opportunity beyond belief and further exacerbates frustration among the fanbase.

Premier League malaise is dangerous for clubs lingering outside of the top six. Aston Villa, Sunderland, Stoke and Swansea have all suffered in the past and taken the plunge into the lowers tiers of English football. Southampton and Newcastle are also feeling the effects, which puts huge pressure on teams, especially in home matches. Everton are another club that are sliding in that direction.

Although an FA Cup may not seem a lucrative idea, the prospect of silverware gives supporters hope and a healthy distraction from the mundane life of mid-table Premier League football. It may not seem a disaster to the club at the moment, but losing to Wimbledon could be one of the biggest disappointments in West Ham’s recent history.