WEST HAM are determined to reach this season’s Europa Conference League.
But they must first get past Danish side Viborg in a crunch play-off clash.
And nervous Hammers fans have not forgotten the last time their side tasted defeat in a continental qualifier.
Rewind six years ago and West Ham were eliminated from the Europa League by Astra Giurgiu.
Unbelievably, it was the SECOND consecutive season the Romanian outfit dumped the Hammers out of Europe.
West Ham drew the first leg at away 1-1, before losing the return leg at home 1-0.
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But there’s since been plenty of change in the capital, with Slaven Bilic long gone and David Moyes in charge.
As for West Ham’s starting XI on the night of the first-leg defeat, just THREE players remain at the club – and only one is a regular starter.
Goalkeeper Darren Randolph, defender Angelo Ogbonna and forward Michail Antonio all lined up the last time West Ham lost a European qualifier.
Of those three, only Antonio is set to start tomorrow’s game against Viborg.
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As for the other eight players on that fateful night in 2016, they have all left London.
Right-back Sam Byram now plays for Norwich, while centre-back Winston Reid is a free agent who has been without a club for a year.
Left-back Reece Burke is at Luton Town, and anchorman Havard Nordtveit is a free agent after leaving Hoffenheim in June.
Meanwhile, winger Gokhan Tore also needs a club after his Besiktas contract expired this summer.
Central midfielder Pedro Obiang now plays in Italy with Sassuolo.
And partner Cheikhou Kouyate has just joined newly-promoted Nottingham Forest after four years at Crystal Palace.
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The final player, striker Jonathan Calleri, currently plies his trade for Brazilian side Sao Paulo.
And all eight exiles are sure to keep tabs on West Ham’s progress tomorrow.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
