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After going out of the FA Cup just before the international break, Newcastle only have the league to rely on to achieve our European aspirations.
With Anthony Gordon giving a good account of himself donning the Three Lions’ shirt, confidence can be gained from the international break. But, because it’s Newcastle United, the drama that has come to typify this season has not gone away.
After Sven Botman was ruled out for nine months ahead of ACL surgery, Lewis Miley picked up a back injury playing for England U20s which could end the teenager’s breakout season. News of Sandro Tonali’s additional charges by the English FA for bets placed after his move to the Toon perhaps came as no surprise to Geordies; however, the timing of the charges will feel like a kick in the teeth to a team looking to treat the run in as a mini-season of sorts.
We can remember big wins over West Ham in recent years and with the Hammers also in the hunt for a European place, this game gives us a chance to take points off a genuine league rival – it is a certified six-pointer.
Toon boss Eddie Howe is treating the run in as a mini-season himself, with his sights set on a top seven finish. “With these ten games it is an opportunity for us to finish the season strong,” Howe said. “We are looking for consistency in results. We are focused on building and finding some positive momentum.”
Howe also said that the team were “desperate” to finish the season well and recapture the same form that saw them jump up the table after beating Wolves recently – only to tumble again with defeat to Chelsea.
“We want to be closing that gap, [West Ham] have done well, they are a dangerous team,” the gaffer said. “We are back at home, we left on a good note in our last game against Wolves and we are desperate to carry that on again. This is a home game, expectation will be on us, we will attack the game in the way we know we can.”
Team news
Miley could be out for around six weeks…
Source link : https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2024/03/29/west-ham-h-pre-match-thoughts-team-news-possible-line-ups-prediction-2/
Author : Joshua Nichol
Publish date : 2024-03-29 18:32:09
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