Antonio in defence: Who played as West Ham last made FA Cup quarters?

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A lot has changed at West Ham United since the London giants last reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Michail Antonio at right-back? Emmanuel Emenike leading the line? Slaven Bilic patrolling the touchline? 2016 must feel like lightyears ago.

In fact, only six of the players who were included in the matchday squad for that 5-1, fifth round thrashing of Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park six years ago are still on West Ham’s books. But what about the remaining 12? What has become of Alex Song, Reece Oxford and Djair Parfitt-Williams?

And who of those still on West Ham’s books could feature against Southampton in the round-of-16 on Wednesday night?

Goalkeeper

Darren Randolph

Now 34, the experienced Irishman is David Moyes’ third-choice shot-stopper these days. Randolph, who was a January target for Leeds United and Aston Villa, has not kicked a ball in anger all season long with Alphonse Areola replacing him as West Ham’s ‘cup keeper’.

Defence

Michail Antonio

The long-serving Antonio is still a West Ham player – albeit a very different one to the man who started on the right-hand side of Bilic’s defence at Blackburn. Now a raging bull of a centre-forward with number nine on his back, only Jarrod Bowen has scored more than him in 2021/22.

Centre-back

Angelo Ogbonna

Arguably West Ham’s most reliable and consistent central defender, the former Italy international will not feature against Southampton due to a cruciate ligament injury that has kept him out of action since November.

James Collins

A modern-day club legend who was shoved unceremoniously and unfairly out the door upon the expiry of his contract in 2018, the old-school Collins is still a popular figure amongst West Ham supporters.

The former Wales favourite now works as a BBC pundit.

Aaron Cresswell

As important to West Ham now as he was back then. The reliable left-back just gets better by the year, ageing like the finest bottle of Marcelo Pelleriti. A major threat from set-pieces, Cresswell could start at St Mary’s.

Midfield

Cheikhou Kouyate

A key part of the Senegal side who lifted the African Cup of Nations trophy for the first time in January. The versatile, vastly experienced Kouyate is still very much a Premier League regular these days, down the road at Crystal Palace.

Mark Noble

Mr West Ham. Officially the longest-serving player in any of Europe’s top five leagues following Lionel Messi’s tear-stained Barcelona departure last summer. Noble will finally bring the curtain down on his career this summer but is in talks over an executive role at the London Stadium.

Pedro Obiang

Perhaps best remembered for that scorching long-range goal against Tottenham Hotspur. Obiang never really lived up to expectations, Obiang has been in-and-out of the Sassuolo XI since moving to Italy in 2019. Hasn’t played this season due to a lung problem.

Attack

Victor Moses

Scorer of West Ham’s equaliser at Ewood Park. Moses’ career appeared to be drifting during a rather forgettable loan spell in claret-and-blue but was revitalised as a wing-back under Antonio Conte at Chelsea, one of the surprise stars of their 2017 Premier League triumph.

Now in Russia with Spartak Moscow after spells at Inter Milan and Fenerbahce.

Left-wing

Dimitri Payet

West Ham’s twinkle-toed talisman, Payet could have been a claret-and-blue icon up there with Paolo Di Canio had he not departed in such acrimonious circumstances.

Still going strong at Marseille, Payet’s sparkling performance that afternoon at Blackburn – two goals, one assist, a stunning free-kick – is a sepia-tinged reminder of what might’ve been.

Striker

Emmanuel Emenike

The width of a post away from a Lancashire hat-trick. Those were Emenike’s only goals in West Ham colours, the latest in a long line of forgettable striker signings.

The 34-year-old Nigeria international is currently a free-agent after a short stint at Belgian outfit Westerlo in 2019.

Substitutes

Adrian

The 35-year-old goalkeeper was West Ham’s number one until Lukasz Fabianski arrived. Adrian joined Liverpool on a free transfer and has slipped behind Caoimhin Kelleher in the pecking order.

He’ll be fondly remembered for his heroic performance in the UEFA Super Cup victory over Chelsea.

Alex Song

Few players can boast Barcelona, Arsenal, West Ham, Charlton Athletic and Arta/Solar7 on their CV. Song impressed intermittently at West Ham – most memorably in a 2-1 victory over Manchester City – and is now embarking on something of a world tour at the age of 34.

He moved to Djibouti in November 2020 and now captains Arta/Solar7 against the likes of Police Nationale, Hayabley and who else but Q5/Nourie Transit FC.

Doneil Henry

No? Us neither. The 42-cap Canadian played just one game for West Ham and, after a spell in South Korea, returned for a second spell at MLS outfit Los Angeles FC a few days ago.

Manuel Lanzini

Enjoying a resurgence at the London Stadium after a series of injury problems. Lanzini is another who could feature against Southampton on Wednesday night after impressing as space-finding number ten in the 1-0 win over Wolves last time out.

Reece Oxford

That superb performance, when a 16-year-old Oxford marked Mesut Ozil out the game during a 2-0 away win at Arsenal, proved to be little more than a false dawn for a player who never lived up to such exalted expectations.

Oxford is now a regular starter in the Bundesliga, albeit with relegation threatened Augsburg.

Djair Parfitt-Williams

A stunning solo goal in action for West Ham’s reserves would never be repeated at senior level. Not yet, anway. 25-year-old Parfitt-Williams recently took the far-from-well-worth path from Slovenia to Dover Athletic, via Iceland.

Marcus Browne

Another former West Ham whizzkid yet to realise his potential. Browne was sold to Middlesbrough and is now playing in League One for promotion-chasing Oxford United.

He returned from injury last weekend after over a year on the sidelines.