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Newcastle United latest news ahead of tomorrows crunch clash

Newcastle United latest news: Newcastle v West Ham 

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has spoken to the press ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League game at St James’ Park.

Howe is a likable and charming man, and as one would expect, he went out of his way to speak positively about West Ham when discussing his opposition. The Toon manager’s charm offensive began with him saying, “West Ham are a very difficult team to play against, a dangerous team. They have done well in European competition and found some good Premier League form during the season, but we are back at home.”

I honestly wouldn’t expect him to say anything different, but the Newcastle gaffer is a man under pressure to ensure The Magpies qualify for Europe again. Much like our own David Moyes, Howe will be judged on his previous successes, and much like our manager, the Toon boss is missing key players.

While new signing Harvey Barnes and captain Kieran Trippier might grab more headlines, Howe is concerned about the loss of defender Sven Botman. “It’s a big blow. It’s a complex story around Sven this season since he got his knee injury. We sought specialist opinion on that injury, and there were conflicting reports on what he should do next,” said Howe.

“Ultimately, our medical team advised him to get surgery. He wanted to carry on playing, and we’ll always try to guide and help the players, but it’s their bodies, and they have to make the final decision.”

Newcastle dealt bad news on record transfer

It’s not all doom and gloom for Newcastle, however. Howe is hopeful of welcoming back some key players from injury, and he was delighted to see Anthony Gordon make his senior international debut for England last weekend.

The Newcastle United FC news has been dominated by the announcement that Sandro Tonali has officially been charged with misconduct by the Football Association for alleged breaches of betting rules. Eddie Howe has urged the FA not to hand out further punishment to Tonali after the NUFC midfielder was charged with potential new breaches of its betting protocols.

To hope that ‘Tonaligate’ will be a distraction for Newcastle ahead of tomorrow’s game is probably wishful thinking. Howe has managed just fine without his record £70m signing for most of the season, so I can’t see it making much of a difference.

The Newcastle United vs. West Ham EPL game kicks off at 12:45 tomorrow.

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Antonio: Don’t Discount the Power of Pure Force

Antonio: Don’t Discount the Power of Pure Force

Michail Antonio isn’t your typical footballer. Forget the silky dribbling and inch-perfect passes – he’s all about brute force. But here’s the thing: brute force is also pure entertainment.

In a world obsessed with intricate tactics and tiki-taka, there’s something undeniably thrilling about a player like Antonio. Sure, those delicate through balls are a joy to watch on TV replays but in the stadium, amidst the roar of the crowd, it’s the raw power that truly resonates.

We can all appreciate the sight of Antonio dominating an aerial challenge, using his strength to shield the ball, and then leaving defenders in his dust. It’s a primal, almost barbaric display of dominance that gets fans on their feet.
Yes, maybe his finishing isn’t always the most clinical, but that doesn’t diminish his value. Antonio is a throwback, a reminder that sometimes, brute force can be beautiful in its own way.

Antonio: Don't Discount the Power of Pure Force

Antonio: Don’t discount the power of pure force rather than technique & trickery

In a game obsessed with technical perfection, there’s a place for the sheer exhilaration that a player like Antonio brings. So next time he muscles his way past a defender, don’t scoff – embrace the glorious simplicity of pure power.
And that is precisely why the big fella has to start tomorrow against Newcastle

 

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Hammers could pounce for feisty Villa attacker

Hammers could pounce for London Stadium hero in summer transfer

The Hammers are reportedly interested in Nicolò Zaniolo, the Galatasaray wide-man currently on loan at Aston Villa.

The Italian will be familiar to Hammers fans following his goal-scoring cameo appearance for Villa at The London Stadium last week. In his brief time on the pitch, Zaniolo appeared to be an excellent player, albeit a slightly feisty one.

The versatile winger joined Villa last summer on a season-long loan, which included an obligation to buy if certain conditions were met. Unfortunately, Zaniolo hasn’t been a regular starter for Emery’s Villa side, meaning the obligation to buy is unlikely to be triggered.

Hammers could pounce for feisty Villa attacker

Hammers could pounce for feisty Villa attacker Nicolo Zaniolo

The winger has made 31 appearances in all competitions, however, 21 of those came as substitutes. The player himself has openly told reporters that he’ll leave the Midlands club at the end of the season, which could provide an opportunity for West Ham.

Personally, I like the player. He’s versatile, young, and at £18m, available at a price point which shouldn’t break the bank for West Ham. Clearly, much depends on David Moyes‘ Hammers future, but even if the gaffer does stay, I can see Zaniolo appealing.

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Reds look to Hammers for Salah replacement

Hammers raid for Salah replacement

Numerous websites are reporting today that Liverpool could consider raiding West Ham if and when Mo Salah moves to the Saudi Pro League in the summer.

Saudi interest in Salah is well-known, and the Reds are reportedly demanding a fee of over £100m for a player who will be 32 this summer. With manager Jurgen Klopp set to depart Anfield at the end of the season, it seems logical that his talisman will depart at the same time.

This would leave Liverpool in need of a right-sided replacement, and our own Jarrod Bowen has been suggested. It’s unclear whether these are old regurgitated stories or fresh interest, which would be bad news for West Ham.

Klopp is known to be a keen admirer of Bowen, recently calling him “my favourite player outside of Liverpool.” However, with the Liverpool manager departing soon, the transfer speculation could simply be a lazy link . . . I certainly hope so.

Attack the best form for defence as Bowen scored three against Brentford_Liverpool are reportedly targeting Bowen as a Salah replacement

Liverpool are reportedly targeting Bowen as a Salah replacement

The new Anfield scouting set-up are believed to be interested in Real Madrid’s excellent Rodrygo, who is rumoured to be lined up as Salah’s replacement. The Spanish club is reportedly demanding £100m for the Brazilian, which could prompt Liverpool to turn their attention to West Ham in pursuit of Bowen.

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C&H Exclusive: Hammers season tickets are too cheap

Club Source: “Our tickets are too cheap”

By Sean Whetstone

West Ham believes that London Stadium season tickets remain incredibly cheap compared to other London Premier League clubs insisting the savings in some areas compared with buying tickets match by match is up to 50%.

tickets are too cheap_West Ham know they made a mistake_London-Stadium

Hammers tickets are too cheap according to a top West Ham source

A Hammers club insider says the players’ wages and amortisation of transfer fees, can’t exceed a fixed percentage of turnover to comply with financial fair play regulations and sadly the revenue must come from somewhere to increase West Ham’s turnover to enable them to compete.

While this year’s increases in season ticket renewals are above inflation the club source insisted last year’s increases were a lot less than inflation.

Speaking to Claret & Hugh today a club source told us:

“Our season tickets really are too cheap, If we were starting afresh tomorrow our season tickets would be 50/75% higher and there would only be concessions in band 6. We cocked up badly by under-pricing season tickets from day one when we moved to the London Stadium. Most supporters realise how cheap they are! Our day one renewals this week were at a record level.”

 

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Tyneside Tussle: Newcastle v West Ham

Tyneside Tussle as West Ham face a tough away day
This weekend’s Premier League clash at St James’ Park is a must-win for both Newcastle and West Ham, if they want to sniff European glory.

The Magpies are an enigma. Their home form is scorching – they score in every game! But away from the friendly confines of St James’ Park, they’re a leaky mess. Conceding like a broken dam (seven goals in nine!)

The Hammers mirror Newcastle’s woes at the back, with clean sheets becoming a distant memory. We can light up the scoreboard, as evidenced by our Europa League win, but our inconsistency is frustrating.

This game hinges on which team can overcome their biggest weaknesses. Can Newcastle exploit their home advantage and keep the goals flowing while tightening up their defence? Or can West Ham’s attack overpower Newcastle’s leaky backline, or will their own defensive frailties cost them?This is a clash where both teams are walking a tightrope. Newcastle needs goals and a clean sheet, while West Ham needs to rediscover their defensive solidity without sacrificing their attacking prowess.

Both Newcastle and West Ham are desperate for European football. This is a six-pointer, and the tension will be thick in the Tyneside air. Goals on rival territory have been particularly difficult for West Ham to come by in recent times, and a fresh concern with the fitness of Kudus will do the Irons no favours whatsoever in that regard.

Kudus-Tyneside_Tussle_Newcastle v West Ham_EPL

Kudus will be needed in the Tyneside tussle on Saturday

Four of West Ham’s last six away matches in all competitions have seen Moyes’s men draw a blank in front of goal, and they have gone winless in their last four Premier League matches with Newcastle, requiring an 89th-minute intervention from Mohammed Kudus to rescue a 2-2 draw back in October.
I fear a difficult afternoon awaits.
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C&H Exclusive: Hammers to get tough on non attendance

Turn up or give up: Hammers to get tough on non-attendance

By Sean Whetstone

West Ham is planning to ban supporters from renewing their season tickets if they fail to attend the majority of games as they get tough on absence ticket holders.

The club have compiled a list of West Ham season ticket holders who attend very few games and do not list the ones they can’t make on the club’s ticket exchange

Hammers to get tough on non attendance_London Stadium_Season Tickets

Hammers to get tough on non-attendance for ‘no-show’ fans

Speaking to Claret & Hugh a club insider told us:

“We are not going to renew some season ticket holders who attend very few games and don’t list their seats on the ticket exchange, we are fed up with so many empty seats at games. The season tickets are so cheap some supporters pick and choose their games and it’s a real problem for us”.

West Ham has a licensed capacity of 62,500 on match days at the London Stadium but previous freedom of information requests have revealed that the real attendance can be up to 10,000 lower with many season ticket holders choosing to leave their seats empty.

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C&H Exclusive: Concession strategy revealed

West Ham concession strategy revealed exclusively to C&H

 

London Stadium_Concession strategy revealed_David Sullivan

The London Stadium Concession strategy has been revealed to C&H by a top club source

By Sean Whetstone

West Ham will follow Spurs’ lead by phasing out our concession season tickets by moving them to upper tiers and lower priced ticket bands it has been confirmed.

The West Ham United Supporters Trust blew the whistle in a statement saying the Hammers were introducing a new strategy for new season ticket holders limiting concession tickets to certain areas. There have been no concession-priced seats for some time in 1966 West Stand and 1966 Billy Bonds season tickets and now it looks like seats in bands 1 to 4 will follow suit.

Existing season ticket holders with concession-based prices in bands 1-4 will not be affected by the change.

Speaking exclusively to Claret & Hugh a senior club source told us:

“Spurs have scrapped all concessions and have just the one price now in each area.

In the long term, we want to create family stands for children and the elderly, but it will NOT impact existing season ticket holders renewing.

Spurs have scrapped concessions altogether, even on renewals!”

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Mini silly season gossip & news round-up

West Ham news round-up

With the international break in full swing, West Ham fans have been with transfer tittle tattle. Whilst it’s not quite the transfer window, the break in domestic football has prompted a mini-silly season of rumours. Here’s a quick rundown of the latest links involving the Hammers:

1. Charlie Hughes: West Ham eyes Wigan Athletic’s rising star Charlie Hughes to bolster their defensive ranks this summer. The 20-year-old centre-back has been turning heads with his performances in League One. Much will depend on whether David Moyes stays or goes.

2. Samuel Iling-Junior: Following England Under-21’s dominant 7-0 win, Juventus’ Samuel Iling-Junior is on the radar. With his contract winding down, a summer move seems probable. West Ham, previously linked in January, might reignite our interest.

3. Amadou Onana: West Ham’s midfield struggles could us them eyeing Everton midfielder Onana. The Toffees have fallen foul of FFP and may need to sell. Previously close to joining the Irons but went to Everton for more money.

4. Victor Boniface: The hunt for a striker intensifies with Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface reportedly attracting multiple suitors. West Ham is among the clubs eyeing the prolific forward. Expect a big exodus from Leverkusen at the end of the season when Xabi Alonso departs.

Tim Steidten winning power and influence at West Ham

News round-up. Tim Steidten is evidently busier than Santa on Christmas Eve

5. Ivan Toney: Brentford’s Ivan Toney remains a target, with his potential arrival possibly influencing the future of star man Lucas Paqueta, who is expected to be in the spotlight this summer as reported by ExWHUEmployee.

6. Jonathan Tah: Yes, him again. Possibly just lazy journalistic work but he’s known to Tim Steidten.

7. Morgan Gibbs-White: It’s a big yes from me. Mega talented young Englishman. Nottingham Forest might be forced to sell due to them being on the same naughty step as Everton.

 

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The perfect storm for an empty London Stadium

Poor football, low transfer spend & price hikes could mean an empty London Stadium

With season ticket prices rising at West Ham next season, the club could be facing a perfect storm that may lead to reduced matchday attendance.

As Sean wrote earlier, the Hammers’ price hike could range from 6% to 11% depending on the ticket. However, with uncertainty surrounding the manager’s position and a low transfer outlay, fans may be unwilling to risk a significant sum on a season ticket.

Band 6 season ticket prices start at £345, which is exceptional value by Premier League standards. At the top end of the scale, the 1966 tickets are £1720, which is a considerable amount of money, especially with people’s budgets becoming increasingly squeezed.

However, the application of Financial Fair Play (FFP) with profit and sustainability measures will mean that many clubs will be unable to spend lavishly. Whilst West Ham are not in as dire straits as some clubs, it’s likely that our transfer business won’t break any records.

West Ham fans leave the London Stadium early as West Ham were thrashed by Arsenal_An empty London Stadium could become a regular occurrence next season

An empty London Stadium could become a regular occurrence next season

Therefore, the prospect of limited signings, combined with uncertainty surrounding the manager’s future, could decrease ticket renewals. Paradoxically, David Moyes is probably the perfect man to manage a Premier League club on a shoestring budget. His pragmatic style of football would almost certainly ensure survival, and the board’s prudent spending should prevent any points deductions.

Unfortunately, the plans for the London Stadium to operate at an increased capacity have probably come at the wrong time. While thrifty accounting and pragmatic football might be beneficial for the football club, I doubt it will be enough incentive for many to renew their season tickets at an increased price.