Newcastle’s incredible time wasting tactic

Newcastle have been utilising an incredible time wasting tactic thus far this season as they bid to climb clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

The Magpies have won all of their last three games, beating Leeds, Everton, and Aston Villa.

Of course, this weekend they come up against the Hammers, and the I reports that they have been utilising a novel tactic in order to win their games; keeping the ball out of play.

Against Villa, in a game that they won 1-0, the ball was in play for just 43 minutes and six seconds of the 90.

Against Everton, the ball was in play for 45 minutes and 16 seconds.

Eddie Howe’s team, as a result, are clearly playing as little football as possible as they look to fight their way to survival, and they are currently four points clear of the drop zone.

They are third-bottom for teams keeping the ball in play – ahead of only Aston Villa and Southampton. The Hammers are 10th, by comparison.

If the Hammers re to win this weekend, the ball needs to stay on the pitch for as long as possible.