Newcastle urged to play weakened team vs West Ham to remove Tottenham as a Premier League rival
Newcastle United have been asked to play their part in ensuring Tottenham Hotspur go down for a very interesting reason by talkSPORT host Angelina Kelly.
The fight for survival has come right down to the wire between Spurs and West Ham, with the two London rivals separated by just two points heading into the final two matches of the season.
The Hammers’ trip to St James Park tomorrow could thus be pivotal in deciding who goes down, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s men having the opportunity to leapfrog Tottenham with a win.
West Ham are the big favourites to go down according to Opta, but the Magpies have now been asked to give the East London side a helping hand.
Newcastle told they will benefit from Tottenham’s relegation
Angelina Kelly has suggested that Spurs going down would be preferable to Newcastle, as the Lilywhites could challenge them for a European spot next season.
She urged Eddie Howe to play a weakened side on Sunday and do their part to boost West Ham’s chances of survival.
The journalist told talkSPORT: “Newcastle have nothing to play for, even though the fans were thinking they were in a relegation scrap at one point.
“They are 13th in the table, and while the fans may want to finish above Sunderland, I don’t think it will help them reclaim any of the dignity they lost by losing twice to their rivals this season anyway. Newcastle will need all the help they can get to bounce back and compete for the top six next year.
“Spurs might be in their way because if they stay up, De Zerbi stays and they spend some money in the summer. We saw what Manchester United did this season, climbing from 15th to third. Who is to say Spurs could replicate that? But with their infrastructure, they could fight for a European spot of some sort.
“They didn’t win a game in 2026 until the manager came in, and he won two. So, I’m thinking that with a resurgence, and buying replacements in the summer, they could become another team in Newcastle’s way. If West Ham stay up, realistically, I don’t think they are a threat to European places. So, it’s simple…Newcastle, should play a weaker team, let Spurs go down, and get a head start for next season.”
Adrian Durham believes Newcastle will be motivated to beat West Ham
However, co-host Adrian Durham insisted that West Ham are more deserving of relegation than their London rivals due to how poorly they have been run.
He also suggested that the Magpies will do everything in their power to ensure they finish above their fierce rivals, Sunderland, after enduring a poor campaign.
Durham responded: “The only way those Newcastle players can save their season is by finishing above Sunderland. With the Black Cats spending time in League One only five years ago while Newcastle won a trophy and competed in the Champions League, they won’t want to feel the pain of finishing below them.
“I don’t understand why people would rather Spurs go down than West Ham. West Ham have been so badly run. That stadium, which they got on the cheap, for them to go down ten years after Karren Brady said they would reach the Champions League?
“I think that’s a great reason to want them to go down. I think you’re underestimating how much it means in the north east for Newcastle to finish above Sunderland, it would be unpalatable for them.”
