Mohammed Kudus is hoping his promising personal record against Newcastle United can help him power West Ham United to success when the Tynesiders arrive in east London on Monday night.
The Hammers are looking to extend their impressive winning run to three games under the London Stadium lights, having found some rhythm after a largely inconsistent season, and toppled both Arsenal and Leicester City in their last two games.
While squad transition in the summer and a winter change in manager may have contributed to a testing campaign that has left the Club sitting 15th in the ranks with eleven games left, at the time of writing, Kudus admits there is still plenty more to come from him personally.
After finishing as runner-up in the voting for the 2023/24 Hammer of the Year award, following 14 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions during his debut season in Claret Blue, including two against Newcastle, the Ghana international has struck three times in 25 outings this term, and endured a five-game suspension after being sent-off against Tottenham Hotspur in October.
“I've been below the standards I've set for myself this season,” the 24-year-old said, speaking in an exclusive interview for the Official Programme. “To be honest, it's been a very difficult season, as we as a team had our expectations set very high.
“I've been below the standards I've set for myself. With the standards I've set and what I've shown, I think everyone also expects a lot from me, but I expect a lot from myself as well.
“I'll keep doing my thing and keep trying until the last game of the season. I know a lot of things haven't gone well this season. It's football, there are a lot of ups and downs, but you need to be yourself at all times.
“I've set very high expectations of myself, even more than what the fans and others think, and I know the input and impact I can have in a game. I wouldn't say it's been my best season, but as a team, we’re at a stage right now where we are building and growing.
“The most important thing for me is to keep going and keep believing in myself and doing my thing. There's a lot more to come from me.”
Under Graham Potter, who was appointed as Head Coach on 9 January, Kudus has adapted to being asked to play in a number of attacking positions due to injury, and he is now gradually rediscovering his proper rhythm.
Indeed, he has started every one of the boss’ eight games in charge in all competitions and duly played a role in Tomáš Souček’s opener against Leicester last time out, with our No14’s saved shot falling into the path of his Czech teammate, who finished off from close range.
With the last few weeks of the campaign ahead of him, Kudus is determined to help drive his team as far up the top-flight table as possible, and reward the Club’s loyal supporters for their unwavering support.
He said: “We're going in the right direction and want to continue. There have been some draws, some wins, and some defeats. It's obviously going in the right direction, and hopefully we can continue.
“We’re enjoying getting to grips with the new methods and ideologies the Head Coach has implemented. These things can take time, even though you don’t get a lot of time in this league.
“We as players have the job to understand and adapt to fit it in with our style, and that’s what we’re trying to do. I’m trying to fit in my style with how the manager sees me and how he wants me to play, so I’m just learning and trying to improve every single day.
“The vision is clear, and you can see everyone aligns with how he (Potter) wants to play. The wins against Arsenal and Leicester City can be the turning point in our season, and now we have to build on it. We are all really looking forward with confidence.”
Kudus will certainly take confidence from the fact that he has scored on each of his two previous appearances against Newcastle, including his first goal in the Premier League in this exact fixture last season, in October 2023.
The team as a whole will be aiming to back up their 2-0 win in the reverse fixture at St James’ Park in November, and though he recognises the threats posed by an outfit challenging for UEFA Champions League qualification, who are set to contest the Carabao Cup final on 16 March, our Starboy is itching to guide his team to the double over the Magpies.
“I’ve got fond memories of my first Premier League goal against Newcastle United last season,” Kudus added. “I think the first goal was the key to the padlock. It opened me to score more goals, so it was a special day.
“They're a very good team, and it's always difficult to play against them, but it's like that in every game in the league, so I'm expecting a tough game, and I’m looking forward to it again.
“Of course, I’ll have that little bit of extra confidence as I’ve scored two goals in two games against them, and hopefully I’ll be able to add another this afternoon.”
To read the full interview with Kudus, buy your copy of Monday night’s Official Programme HERE.
