Randolph - Home support will be crucial

Darren Randolph believes home advantage will be crucial for the Hammers

Darren Randolph believes home advantage will be crucial for the Hammers and hopes the amazing support at the Boleyn Ground will see them through the Emirates FA Cup quarter-final replay against Manchester United.


Slaven Bilic’s side face the Red Devils for a place in the last four of the competition against Everton after drawing the initial quarter-final 1-1 at Old Trafford.


Randolph is expected to start in goal once again and hopes to continue his impressive form in the FA Cup this season following impressive displays against Liverpool and United.


And the Republic of Ireland international keeper believes the Hammers stand a great chance of progressing if the crowd get on top of the visitors and make it a night to remember in east London.


Randolph said: “It will be a tough game as they have hit a bit of form and are picking up some decent results with some decent performances since we last played them.


Hopefully, though, we can use being at home to our advantage and make them uncomfortable.


The Boleyn Ground has a great feel to it and the crowd can definitely influence the game and the other team and make them more nervous. They can certainly make them a bit more edgy.”


The incentive for both West Ham and Manchester United is the chance to play at Wembley in the next round and another big tie against Everton.


But Randolph says he is not focused on the opposition and says his team will fancy their chances of playing anyone following their progression to the latter stages of the competition.


Randolph added: “I really don’t care about who we play or what they’re doing. It will be a massive game. It’s the last ever FA Cup game at the Boleyn Ground against Manchester United to get to Wembley.


We’re not getting too ahead of ourselves but we fancy ourselves against the other teams that are in the draw.


They’re all good teams – they wouldn’t have got this far if they weren’t – but it’s a great chance for us.”