West Ham and Brentford’s FA Cup Ambition | OneFootball

West Ham and Brentford might have differing goals in the Premier League at the forefront of their minds – but an FA Cup run to the final at Wembley would certainly not be unwelcome.

Both teams have a lot to play for in the Premier League. Brentford still have very realistic hopes of qualifying for European football, while West Ham are fighting to stay in the division. However, this match provides the opportunity for either side to go deep in the competition.

Having had favorable draws in the early rounds, this is the first time in this year’s FA Cup that either side have faced Premier League opposition. Brentford saw off Sheffield Wednesday and non-league Macclesfield so far, while West Ham came up against QPR and Burton Albion.

Much like last year’s winners Crystal Palace, Brentford have never won the competition and it has been 51 years since West Ham last lifted the trophy. Could there be a winner from outside the usual top Premier League sides once again this year?

West Ham’s recent resurgence

Before the first round of the FA Cup, West Ham had only won three matches in all competitions and were seven points adrift of safety, 21 matches into the Premier League.

In the two months since then, they have won both their FA Cup ties and four more in the league, leaving them level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest. 

If they keep this form up they could have a real chance of staying up, but also going further in this tournament.

Despite the threat of relegation for West Ham still being very real, Nuno Espírito Santo still understands the importance of the FA Cup.

“The [FA] Cup is always a good competition for us,” he explained. “We love the FA Cup, and this is what we are focused on now. My first memories of the FA Cup are from the 1980s, when the only game that was transmitted in Portugal was the FA Cup final, so it means a lot to me.

“It’s really, really important, and we’re looking forward to being at home against a tough opponent. We want to try and go through.”

Keith Andrews’ remarkable season

When the Irishman replaced Brentford’s long-term manager Thomas Frank in the summer, many thought it was an impossible job. However, he has gone above and beyond everything expected of him so far.

His side currently sit seventh in the Premier League, well on course for a European spot and have a real chance in this clash to qualify for the FA Cup quarter-finals.

In their last seven matches, Brentford have drawn with Arsenal and beaten both Aston Villa and Newcastle, proving that Andrews is well deserving of his nomination for February manager of the month.

 “It is nice, of course,” he said. “But it is just a testament to the work that has gone on and the level of the performances the boys have produced, especially away from home, during this period. I think the work that goes into it from everybody has got us to that point over a period of time, which we have worked tirelessly to get to. 

“So it is nice to see it come to fruition in some big games – and, of course, it is a nice pat on the back for everybody that has played a huge part in it.”

West Ham have more at stake elsewhere, with avoiding relegation to the Championship and the financial disaster that would come with it undoubtedly the top priority, but doing so and having a deep cup run would salvage something from what has been a forgettable season so far.