Bristol City vs West Ham team news: Arsenal target Winston Reid returns to the Hammers line-up
The match kicks off at 2pm
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce makes just one change to the side that defeated Hull City 3-0 in the Premier League last weekend.
Winston Reid returns to the starting line-up in place of James Collins, as the West Ham boss names a strong attacking line-up for the clash at Ashton Gate.
TEAMS IN FULL
Bristol City starting XI: Fielding, Little, Bryan, Ayling, Flint, Williams, K.Smith, Saville, Freeman, M.Smith, Emmanuel-Thomas.
Substitutes: Richards, Osborne, Cunningham, Wagstaff, Elliott, Pack, Agard.
West Ham starting XI: Adrian, Jenkinson, Reid, Tomkins, Cresswell, Noble, Song, Nolan, Downing, Carroll, Valencia
Substitutes: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Poyet, Amalfitano, Jarvis, Sakho, Cole
This will be the Hammers' first appearance in the fourth round since the 2010-11 campaign, having not won an FA Cup tie for three years before their third round triumph over Everton.
That tie would go the whole hog, with a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park taking the match to a replay which would eventually be settled, on penalties, with Hammers goalkeeper Adrian scoring the winning spot-kick.
For Bristol City, they can take heart in that West Ham's last victory at Ashton Gate came in September 1992. Clive Allen scored twice and they were promoted to the top flight.
Writing in his Friday column for Standard Sport this week, Sam Allardyce admitted that he'd love to take his side to the FA Cup final, even it cost them a couple of spots in the Premier League.
"I have never managed a team to FA Cup Final glory. Yes, I’ve got close but, as yet, there’s been no cigar," wrote Allardyce.
"There is absolutely nothing I would like more than to fill that gap on my management CV but there are times when you have to be realistic, such as last season, for example, when the Cup just had to take second place behind Premier League survival.
"When your owners tell you the big priority is staying in the Premier League, then you owe it to them to listen — and act accordingly."
"Yes, the manager often cops the stick afterwards if it does go wrong — as it did at Nottingham Forest in the third round last season — but the owners understand why that has happened.
"No one wants to reach an FA Cup Final more than the players, the manager and his staff. This season, because we’ve done well in the Premier League, we can really go for it. Anyone who doubts that was not watching our two ties against Everton.
"There’s nothing better and more exciting, nothing which will add more to the history of your club, than playing in an FA Cup Final — and winning it!"
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments