Tuesday 2 January 2018 10:40, UK
West Ham manager David Moyes admits the Premier League must take precedence over the FA Cup, but says he still rates the competition extremely highly.
The Hammers are currently in the relegation zone of the Premier League and Moyes insists the FA Cup must not "damage" the club's efforts to retain their top-tier status this season.
Starting with a home league match against West Brom on Tuesday, the east London side travel to Wembley to face Tottenham on Thursday, followed by a trip to Shrewsbury in the FA Cup next Sunday.
And Moyes explains why he has no choice but to prioritise the relegation scrap, rather than focus on a possible run in the FA Cup.
The Scot said: "Do I want to win the FA Cup? One-hundred per cent. But I don't think it can be so we damage our league season.
"And if we got through? Then our next two games are on a Tuesday against Crystal Palace, and against Brighton on the Saturday after the fourth round.
"If I could win the Cup I would definitely try to win the Cup, but I couldn't do it if I thought it would affect the Premier League."
Former West Ham boss Sam Allardyce angered Upton Park fans four years ago when he selected an under-strength team, which lost 5-0 at Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup third-round tie.
Moyes added: "I remember that. But do you not think, the position you are in now, the focus would only be on your Premier League status?
"Because, if you've not got Premier League status and then you're talking about winning the Cup, you've still got to beat all the teams to get there.
"So it's a difficult one. It's not an easy one to say what would be the way."
Watch West Ham's clash against Tottenham at Wembley live on Sky Sports Premier League on Thursday night.
