Double Standards

West Ham United are preparing for an important Premiership clash with Portsmouth – at least it’s important to Pompey who are haunted by the spectre of relegation.

Their opponents, by contrast, have no such survival worries. But they might have their minds on the next game – an F.A. Cup quarter final tie with Manchester City in the very near future.

And if their manager chooses to field a different team against Portsmouth from the one which faces City, you can be sure of two things – it won’t be a stronger side and if Pompey get a result, fellow strugglers Birmingham and West Bromwich Albion might not be best pleased.

Still, it’s Alan Pardew’s job to do his best for West Ham United. That is what he is paid for.

In demonstrating the point, perhaps he will spare a thought for Arsene Wenger, the manager of Arsenal, and the man he has criticised for doing precisely the same thing.

Albeit with considerably more intelligence and style.