The Owls start 2012 with the first game in a run which takes in 5 consecutive home games at Hillsborough during January.

Wednesdayite.com match previewer Ricky Charlesworth previews the Owls v West Ham United F.A. Cup  3rd Round (proper) tie which takes place at Hillsborough on Sunday 8th January 2012 with a 3pm kick off.

 

OWLS v WEST HAM UNITED
FA Cup Third Round proper
Sunday 8 January 2012
Hillsborough 
3pm KO

LOWDOWN
Wednesday’s promotion push may be taking a break for a week, but there’s no rest to be had; instead the Owls face a tough task in the FA Cup. 

Before entertaining table-toppers Charlton Athletic next Saturday, this weekend sees another London side make the trip up to Hillsborough, with Sam Allardyce’s West Ham United in town for what promises to be a stern test for Gary Megson’s troops. 

The Hammers currently lie joint-top of the Championship along with Southampton and have made an impressive adjustment to life back in the second tier. Nevertheless, their recent run is alarming for Allardyce, having lost three of the last six although they will be looking to replicate last season’s run in the Cup. The Hammers reached the last eight before bowing out to Stoke City. 

This season, Kevin Nolan has led the team since his shock £4m arrival from Newcastle. The former Bolton man, who played under Megson during their spell there, has netted seven goals so far.

TEAM NEWS
The biggest poser over Sunday’s team is whether Ben Marshall will be included or not. The on-loan Stoke winger missed the last two FA cup ties after the Potters refused permission for him to play. However, with the Owls looking to extend his loan until the end of the season, he could indeed play against the Hammers if the red-tape is cleared in time. If he is not included, either David Prutton or Jermaine Johnson are likely to come in on the left flank. 

Elsewhere, Gary Megson will be forced into at least one change, as Miguel Llera has returned to Blackpool. Even if the centre-half returns for a second spell, he is still cup-tied having represented Brentford earlier in the year, meaning club skipper Rob Jones could return to the fold after missing the Preston and Tranmere games with a back injury. If Jones doesn’t make it in time, Mark Beevers could return to action after his stint at MK Dons. 

Fellow loanees Danny Batth and James Tavernier are both eligible to play, with Tavernier set to return to Newcastle on Monday. Sanchez Watt is ineligible after parent club Arsenal ruled him out of the earlier round tie against Aldershot.

In goal, Megson has healthy competition with Stephen Bywater, Nicky Weaver and Richard O’Donnell all vying for the starting jersey.

PROBABLE LINE-UP
Weaver; 
R Johnson, R Jones, Batth, Otsemobor; 
Marshall or Prutton, Lines, Semedo, Tavernier; 
O’Grady, Morrison

KEY MAN
Carlton COLE – the ex-England striker has bagged eight in 21 so far this campaign and will be a major threat, if chosen to start. He has recently been linked with Premier League side Fulham and may depart the Boleyn Ground before the month is out, provided the price is right.

LAST MEETING 
(League Cup, September 2005) – OWLS 2-4 West Ham (Coughlan, Graham)
Wednesday exited the Carling Cup at home to the Premier League Hammers, with Bobby Zamora grabbing two on the night.

DID YOU KNOW? 
Carlton Cole last scored at Hillsborough back in 2005 when he played for England under-21’s in their 4-1 win against Poland. The game attracted over 23,000 to S6.

Up the Owls.
Ricky

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