Callum Wilson sends Leeds United ‘inside info’ to Michail Antonio after Newcastle draw with West Ham next up
Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson sent a warning shot to West Ham star Michail Antonio telling him to expect a “scrappy” encounter when Leeds United visit the London Stadium on Sunday [21 May].
A dramatic game at Elland Road on Saturday [13 May] which swung back and forth saw the Whites pick up a crucial point with a 2-2 draw against Newcastle with Wilson grabbing a penalty double.
The result leaves Leeds United sitting just a point from safety in the relegation drop zone and Wilson speaking to Antonio on their Footballer’s Football Podcast [16 May, 7m 30s] warned the West Ham star about the difficulties of facing Leeds ahead of their battle on Sunday.
“So, you want some inside info, yeah,” Wilson responded when Antonio asked him about how Leeds United play under new manager Sam Allardyce. “Let me see what I can do for you.
“They are a side where they are on the front foot. They will press. They will rat around. Try and get in your face. Tackle. Break up play. Make the game scrappy. When you are trying to play your nice football, they want it to become a bit of a fight. A bit of a mess really.
“They are good at set-pieces. Crosses into the box, like the two goals we conceded. Long throws. That’s the kind of game that it is. They are fighting for their lives. They have got that desire.”
Fight to the death
Wilson is exactly right, West Ham should expect a tough and scrappy battle when they take on Leeds United at the London Stadium on Sunday with the Whites battling for survival down the bottom.
The Newcastle striker certainly knows what it’s like to face such a gruelling contest having tasted their desire and fighting spirit to claim a draw at Elland Road on Saturday.
Allardyce has instilled something steely about them, having put in some rather gritty performances against Manchester City and the Magpies, but will it prove too little too late with the former England manager given just four games to save the club from relegation?
Sunday’s contest in East London is a must-win game for Leeds United, not matter how many neutrals predict the Hammers to claim a win.
This is a last-chance saloon territory now for Allardyce and his men who face a difficult fight to the death. Considering how the Premier League has fared this season, the Whites fan certainly have the right to hope for a miracle, it’s no wonder why Antonio is asking for advice from Wilson about facing Leeds United.
The Hammers should expect another gruelling encounter after their European exploits in midweek.
In other Leeds United news, a club has a “Plan A” this summer to sell a player to the Whites.