Hammers have a history of being victims of FA Cup giantkillings

The opposition

WEST HAM are often victims of FA Cup giant-killings and Saturday’s opponents Barnsley will be confident they can inflict another miserable day on the Hammers.

The pair last met in the competition two years ago with the east Londoners running out 3-0 winners, but the Tykes are having a solid season in the Championship and head into the match in decent form.

Always hovering towards the bottom of the second tier, Barnsley currently lie in 15th after an impressive 2-1 victory over Coventry on Monday.

This win followed up an encouraging 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest on Saturday and if Mark Robins’ men are to keep their good run going, the form of winger Adam Hammill will be key.

West Ham and other Premier League outfits are apparently showing an interest in the 22-year-old Liverpudlian who has found the net eight times this season and Saturday will be an ideal opportunity for him to showcase his talents.

Key to the game

HAMMILL will be an obvious threat on the right flank, while experienced striker Andy Gray is a vital cog in the Barnsley wheel.

The forward has played at Championship level most of his career and although he has netted just four goals his physical presence is vital to how they play, so the performance of James Tomkins and Matthew Upson will be crucial.

The Tykes record on the road is not great this season, conceding 23 goals in 11 matches and while centre-half pairing Jason Shakell and Stephen Foster are strong in the air, they both lack pace.

Verdict

ALTHOUGH Barnsley do approach the game on the back of an impressive win, West Ham should be too good all over the pitch for their Yorkshire opponents.

The Hammers have been upset in the cup by lower league opposition in the past, but it is unlikely to happen on Saturday.

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