Pablo Fornals has claimed that he wants to ‘experience’ playing at a packed-out Newcastle’s St James’ Park after hearing ‘everyone’ speak about it in a positive fashion, as he told West Ham’s official website.
Today will be the chance for Fornals to witness 50,000+ Geordies giving him a tough time as his West Ham team face off against Newcastle in a few hours time.
This is a repeat of last season’s Premier League opener and if the same result repeats itself then Fornals will hear that home crowd roar.
If not then the £24 million player (BBC Sport) will probably understand how a frustrated Newcastle support can be of an advantage to his team.
This is what Fornals had to say about playing at St James’ Park for the first time with a full crowd.
“I played at Newcastle in each of the last two seasons,” said Fornals. “But I’ve never played there with a crowd.
“Everyone speaks really well about this stadium with a crowd, so I want to see it and experience it for myself now.”
There will be a number of players who are yet to play in front of full crowds since making their debuts for their club.
For Newcastle, Callum Wilson will be one of those players, as would someone like Said Benrahma for the Hammers.
Benrahma will have to wait that bit longer to play at a packed-out London Stadium, but before then, he will be looking to dazzle those in the North East.
One thing Newcastle and West Ham fans probably have in common is that they don’t like their owners and with a lack of investment in their squads once again this summer, it’s no surprise.
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