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Rafael Benitez v Manuel Pellegrini: Would Rafa thrive once again if given the spending power of West Ham United?

After their recent 3-0 defeat to West Ham United at St James Park, Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez insisted that the Hammers spending power was the difference between the two sides.

There is always something unnerving and yet satisfying for supporters when a long serving player says that they want to end their career at the club, in Hammers case it is Captain Mark Noble. Noble debuted in 2004 as a 17 year old and has gone on to play around 450 games for the club, the option to extend his contract keeping him at the club until 2021 has been taken up, it is also envisaged that his services will be retained in a coaching capacity once he has hung up his boots for good.

Hammers injuries sustained list has grown alarmingly during the course of the season and pre-season, the latest to succumb being Lucas Perez with a foot injury that looks as if he were shot! So another player down but at least one is due back, only problem is that the player in question is Jack Wilshere. The midfielder is available for selection against Fulham this weekend having recovered from yet another injury sustained while recovering from an earlier ankle operation.