Hammers vowing to root out the racist
PEP GUARDIOLA’S millionaires should prepare for a pitch battle in the next round of FA Cup, Newport striker Padraig Amond warns.
The League Two side reached the fifth round for the first time in 70 years with their latest giantkilling over Middlesbrough at sodden Rodney Parade.
The Exiles share the stadium with two rugby union teams – Pro14 side Dragons and the Welsh Premiership’s Newport RFC – and the battered surface has already hosted nearly 60 matches this season. Amond, who scored the second goal against Boro, believes the mud and ruts could be a great leveller with 81 places and millions of pounds separating the two sides.
“Will City fancy this pitch? I don’t think so,” said the Irishman. “They’ve some of the best players in the world but it’s going to be tough for them because this isn’t what they are used to.
“They won’t be used to the facilities. We have to use all the advantages we can. The bobbly pitch – we have to use that.
“There are three football matches on this pitch beforehand. I don’t know if there is a rugby game or not. We might get a rugby game on just to make it really interesting.
“There would have been very few Man City players if any who would have played at a ground like this. That is the little advantage we have to take. If the game were in the Etihad then we’d be thinking a different story.”
Robbie Willmott was stacking shelves in a supermarket 18 months ago before re-signing for Newport – and he scored his first goal of the season against Boro.
“Everyone’s buzzing about Man City coming here,” said the winger, despite the Premier League club thrashing League One Burton 9-0 in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
“That was at the Etihad,” said Willmott. “Rodney Parade is a completely different task. You’re not going to be able to play freeflowing football on that, they will have to change their game.
“We know what it’s like. My first spell here, they dug six trenches on the pitch and I’ve seen a goalkeeper fall through a sand trench.
“They lost to Wigan last year and anyone is beatable on their day like we have showed.”
County knocked out Leicester in the third round, and Willmott added: “We’ve beaten a Premier League side this season so there’s no reason why we can’t pull off a major shock.” Bristol City v Wolves
AFC Wimbledon Millwall Doncaster Crystal Palace Newport County Man City Chelsea Manchester United Swansea Brentford
QPR Watford
Brighton v Derby
All ties will take place between Feb 15-18. will be dealt with accordingly.”
The Twitter user who originally posted the footage online said: “I was disgusted by what I was hearing.
“People like this deserve no place in our society, let alone football matches.”
It is understood Monday night’s video was brought to Liverpool’s attention yesterday morning.
Although Salah did not flag the incident up to the Reds, they have spoken to West Ham and have been assured the London club are investigating.
A spokesperson for the Hammers said: “There is no place for this kind of behaviour at our stadium.”