West Ham United host Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup third round.
West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic says he would prefer to win the FA Cup over finishing fourth in the Premier League as silverware creates part of the club’s history, the Daily Mail reports.
A number of clubs over the years have often played weaker teams in the FA Cup, instead focusing on the league whether the objective is staying up or finishing in the European spots.
Such a mentality has often diminished the novelty of England’s oldest cup competition, and moreover takes some of the gloss off winning the competition which is considered only a minor success to some.
Bilic, however, is a real football romantic and he explains how history and creating memories makes winning the FA Cup far more special and significant than qualifying for next season’s edition of the Champions League.
“Win the Cup and I can hold it up. Get in the Champions League and I have to buy a magazine to show them the League table and shout, ‘Look where we are!’ Bilic explained.
“There is proof if you have silverware. So I’d prefer to win the FA Cup… and finish fifth.”
West Ham begin their bid to lift the FA Cup with a third round home encounter with Championship outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers, a game they should expect to win.
The Hammers have throughout their history won three FA Cups, though their last triumph came in 1980 which is far too long ago for a club of such proud tradition and history.
The East London outfit don’t have the biggest of squads, therefore it’s likely that a strong run in the FA Cup could pose them an interesting dilemma in terms of their league campaign.
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