Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson has told West Ham United’s Michail Antonio what to expect against Leeds United – and told him to count himself lucky that the Hammers will be playing at home.
Wilson said that the Elland Road crowd caught him off guard when they visited for a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon, with the England forward scoring both of Newcastle’s goals from the penalty spot either side of Luke Ayling and Rasmus Kristensen strikes.
Antonio appeared alongside Wilson on the BBC’s Footballers’ Football Podcast and tapped him up for information on how Sam Allardyce’s side are likely to approach things at the London Stadium this Sunday afternoon as Leeds United look to pull themselves clear of the relegation zone.
Read more: Leeds United have an unexpected holiday concern to weigh up for dogfight run-in
The striker said to Antonio: “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.”
Wilson also added: “Their stadium and atmosphere was one of the best I have played this season. For a team that’s down there in the relegation zone. You don’t expect atmospheres to be like that. But it was loud before the game. They scored and the roof lifted off.”
READ NEXT
- Latest Leeds United news and updates
- Sam Allardyce tactical changes means Leeds United can 'fight' their way to survival
- Leeds United news as Michael Owen namechecks Everton and Leicester in relegation prediction
- Leeds United relegation and survival permutations with Whites set for date with destiny
- Ex-Leeds United prospect Leif Davis on the Marcelo Bielsa nous behind latest promotion campaign