The managerless Baggies are just two points above the relegation zone and will want to see that gap widen rather quickly whilst United will want to prove that the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal was a slip up and return to winning ways at the first attempt.
These are the kind of games we need to get something from if we are serious about challenging for Europe. Indeed these are the kinds of games we won in the season where we finished fifth. Away days are never easy though and we must turn up and get the job done and even though that sounds incredibly cliche it is true.
West Brom:
Chris Brunt may feature after recovering from a calf injury and Shane Long may return after sitting out the previous two games. Nicolas Anelka is likely to retain his place despite being under investigation following his goal celebration last weekend but Victor Anichebe is doubtful with a groin injury.
Newcastle:
Jonas Gutierrez and Ryan Taylor are the only players missing for Alan Pardew who has the luxury of having all of his big-hitters at his disposal.
Previously…
Last season we drew at the Hawthorns with Yoan Gouffran scoring our goal in a 1-1 draw. It’s only one game, but that draw kind of symbolises the record between the two sides which is dead even as things stand.
Of 118 matches both sides have won on 43 occasions with 32 matches ending in a draw. At West Brom they have been stronger winning 26 compared to 13 victories for United with 19 draws adding up to 58 games played at the Hawthorns.
Match stats and facts…
West Brom picked up the second lowest amount of points per game in 2013 with 0.92. Only Sunderland picked up less at 0.84 points per game. Maybe Steve Clarke isn’t as super duper as some NUFC fans think he is?
West Brom have failed to win in the last nine league games. And they’ve kept only four clean sheets this season – the second lowest in the division.
Newcastle have more away wins than four of the top five clubs – Manchester City, Chelsea, Everton and Liverpool.
Final thought…
There isn’t much I can add to it. We can win it, we know we can, but we also know we’re equally liable to put in a stinker just as we did at Swansea. Yet again it’s how we perform on the day and although we’ve been more consistent this term I still have concerns.
I always view West Brom as some form of bogey for us. I’ve no idea why as our results against them aren’t too bad by all accounts. Maybe that’s my problem? I just can’t see which way this will go despite the supposed gulf between the teams that the league table suggests.
Howay the lads!
Date: Wednesday, 1st January, 2014
Time: 3pm
Venue: The Hawthorns
A Fantastic new year to everyone on here ,i hope you all stay healthy and 2014 brings all your wishes true .
Have we signed anyone yet ❓ 😆
Axel(Quote)
Happy new year!
Stuart79(Quote)
Ditto comments 1&2…all the best ya bunch of eejits 😉 and now time for kip.
richietoon(Quote)
Happy new year peeps, hope it’s a good un 😀 😎
KIMTOON(Quote)
Happy new year everyone! 😛
Had a few brews last night so I will have a lazy day today! 🙁
Would love a win tonight tho…
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Happy new year every1
3 points tomorrow would see the new year in with a bang 😀
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
2014 already. May everybody have a good one.
Premandup(Quote)
Happy new year everyone, best of luck, health and happiness to you all in 2014.
I fancy a lower scoring win for us today. 0-1 the Toon – Gouffran the score. HWTL!!!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Will this be our mini slump 😕 Fail to get anything today and it’s Man City next 🙄 That could be 3 on the trot like. Then we have fat Sam’s boys who will be scrapping for dear life too, Norwich Should be less testing but who knows by then .
Before you call me a new year negger, I’m only pointing out what could happen if we fail to turn up today.
KIMTOON(Quote)
all the best to everyone 😀 but not to jabba as that would mean hes spent nowt 😐
icedog(Quote)
Kim – chin up lass, we played well enough against Arsenal just couldn’t score. We’ve got no injuries to key players so were in good shape.
Keep the faith and Joe will get us a couple in this month to keep a buzz going 😉
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY must still be drunk@11 😆 😆
icedog(Quote)
woo hoo hoo 😆
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE
Health, weailth and happiness to all.
3 points today will kick the year off nicely.
Keep the Faith Kim
Howay the Lads
Toon Toon 😛
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Ice – if I say it often enough it might come true 🙄 😆
Sharpy17(Quote)
Happy New Hair t’yall. 😉
Another year of being right all the time. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Happy new year to all Toon fans.
Here’s to a great year with lots of good football and a bumper number of points for us.
sidekick(Quote)
SHARPY @14 you might get your wish if they can shift jonas out from what i hear 😉
icedog(Quote)
I see Lawrenson has predicted another defeat for us today 👿
Not expecting any new signings, until we ship out some of the dross.
But on a more optimistic note, not expecting to lose any key players this window either.
meh roll on February
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Ice – I’d hope Jonas isn’t the only one. Marv and Oba could take a hike for me as well mate. We may not get the biggest fees for them but it would free up around 100k pw in wages.
Joe will get us a couple in this month man (there we go, said it again so it has to come true 😉 )
What you heard like mate?
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY my contact hasnt been to good lately,think its just genaral patter at the training ground,they are very unhappy with oba like over his conduct on sun and want him out they dont want him un-settling the other french players so you may get your wish on him too 😉
icedog(Quote)
Luuk De Jong will be signing til the end of the season.
Mark my words or 😉
Mock my words. 🙄
Troy Stavers(Quote)
TROY ill take your second comment 😉 well you did ask 😀 😀
icedog(Quote)
Ice – that would make for a happy new year mate! 😈
What’s this craic about Jonas?, reckon there is any truth in him not getting near the team due to it triggering something in his contract or what?. Personally I’d put it down to others playing alot better than him myself like.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’d love us to sign a Finnbogason, Jelle Vossen or Shane Long type CF and a winger.
I wonder if we use today to put the bite on Shane Long actually?.
Do we need permission from WBA to speak with him if he’s out of contract in the summer?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY i think Finnbogason looks the part but they say wont leave till summer,Long can talk to clubs from start of Jan so now like
icedog(Quote)
Sharpy@23
I think there is something in it, His ability to get us up the pitch and draw fouls when were seeing games out like he did at Cardiff would be a hell of a lot more useful than whatever Obertan apparantly brings to the party.
Gouffran gives us the work rate, defensive ability with goals and assists to boot and rightly starts but i just cant see Pardew not putting Jonas on the bench at least if hes fully fit…
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