Game on! Newcastle United Vs West Ham United

A welcome to West Ham United
A welcome to West Ham United
Welcome one and all to this the last of the season ‘Game On’ article which will take us through the highs and lows ( Of what is our most important game in 6yrs ) as we play host to West Ham in this afternoons Premier league game (3pm kick-off), We go into the game knowing that a win would secure our Premier league status for another year. Anything less, and we will have to rely on Hull’s result against Manchester United.
Both teams go into this match on the back of 2-1 defeats in London last weekend – As we lost to already relegated Queens Park Rangers, the Hammers ended their home games with a reverse to Everton.
Speaking ahead of the game John Carver said “I’m looking forward to the challenge,”
“I have enough players in that dressing room who realise how much this game means. Let’s be honest – it’s the biggest game at this football club for six years.
“I’m sure that Sam (Allardyce,) will bring his strongest team here. Everybody wants to win a Premier League football match and Sam and Kevin Nolan won’t be any different.
“I’m expecting the players to step up to the plate and put in a big performance that’s worthy of keeping them in the Premier League.
“We have to win this game. I said a few weeks ago that four points was the target and we got one against West Brom so yes, we have to win.
“The lads have to play to the game and not the occasion because sometimes you can get carried away with what’s going on around the outside, but they need to stay composed.
“We can’t fear wanting to get on the ball and play, if we get that reaction and we get on the ball then I’m confident.
“I’m expecting the atmosphere to be electric. Against West Brom it was like being in a proper football stadium again – it was fantastic. I know that for the 90 minutes on Sunday it’ll be the same.
“Six years ago it wasn’t in our hands but it is now. We can take care of our own business and that’s the important thing.”
Also speaking ahead of the game Fan and blogger Big Dave said ” I am dreading the game as I just don’t think our players have the bottle/ spirit to go and really give the Hammers a fight”, ” and I think we will have to hope that Man United do us a favour by beating Hull”, ” I also think it’s a real disgrace that Mike Ashley has let our once great club get into this position again because he wanted to gamble from Jan that we would have enough points to secure our Prem status without having to invest in the transfer window, the same way he gambled in Jan last year”. ” I can’t ever remember feeling so disinterested in our club as I have this year, it is just one mistake after the other, we have an owner that has zero interest or ambition in the club except to stay in the prem for the huge revenue from the televised games, and keep using us as as a huge advertisement hoarding for his only love Sports Direct, ” I am very near the point of not really worrying about the outcome of todays game, as I think if we stay up the Regime wont really learn or change their ways, and it will just be more of the same,” ” if we get relegated then things will have to change and the Regime will have the ambition to win games to get promoted back in to the multi million £ honey pot AKA the Premier league” . so it’s a toss up of remaining the Premier league’s whipping boy’s, or being a competitive Championship side ? the sad thing for me is that I know there is a lot of other Toon fans are thinking the same way and that is all down to one Man Mr Mike Ashley.
TEAM NEWS
Newcastle– Mike Williamson is in contention for a starting spot after serving a two-match ban for a red card at Leicester earlier this month. Siem de Jong (thigh) has trained but remains a slight doubt, while Massadio Haidara (knee), Cheick Tiote (knee), Rob Elliot (thigh) and Steven Taylor (Achilles) will miss out once again.
West Ham – Centre-back James Collins is expected to miss out with a calf injury, having been forced off in the first half against Everton last weekend. Fellow defender James Tompkins could return, however, after a spell on the sidelines with a dislocated shoulder. The Hammers will definitely be without striking duo Andy Carrol (knee) and Diafra Sakho (thigh), along with defender Guy Demel (calf).

HOWAY THE LADS

Team sheets

Newcastle United Krul, Janmaat, Coloccini (c), Williamson, Dummett, Sissoko, Anita, Colback, Gutierrez, Rivière, Cissé.

Subs Woodman, R.Taylor, Gouffran, Ameobi, Cabella, de Jong, Perez.

West Ham Adrian, Jenkinson, Burke, Reid, Cresswell, Song, Nolan (c), Kouyate, Downing, Valencia, Cole

Subs Jaaskelainen, O’Brien, Tomkins, Amalfitano, Jarvis, Lee, Nene

586 thoughts on “Game on! Newcastle United Vs West Ham United

  1. Ice@470
    The idea that we wouldn’t even attempt to have a chat with Klopp is ludicrous. He’s exactly the type of manager that would have been high in the odds back in Fat Freddy’s tenure.
    Perhaps, if Ashley truly has seen the light, it’s not too late to convince him.
    Genuinely, everything is here for the right man to really make a mark and a name for himself. Just needs the will and ambition of the Chairman to go alongside the vision and nous of a decent manager.
    Fingers crossed I guess.

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  2. Sharpt@522
    Also noted that. Admittedly guilty of it myself. It’s a serious case of that most glorious of things. Hope.

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  3. Big Al saying too many fans were going to games out of habit rather than hope. Says Ashley has to prove what he said.

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  4. Sharpy @ 522
    Judging by the **** poor post match protest and sit in, I would say YES.
    Jabba has made a statement, he will be judged on that statement now, but given a short time to make his point.

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  5. Re the club statement on Tuesday, Cava did say he wanted a decision on his position before Friday when he goes on holiday.
    Really worried that he gets the gig permanently.

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  6. Are there any Hull players we should be looking to get on the cheap ?
    Almohamedy anyone ?

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  7. Stuart – don’t know, but if things are to change for the better, then it has to start sooner than later. Tuesday would be a great time to announce the appointment of the next manager/HC.

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  8. Ice said Richard Keyes has said there’s a big announcement on Tuesday but I don’t know how he would knows

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  9. Quite funny Jimmy Bullard interview before the game, saying Newcastle dropping into the Championship would be ‘unheard of’.
    He’s got the memory of a goldfish.

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  10. Hull Players Id Take:
    Robertson, Ndoye, Huddlestone
    Burnley: Ings, Barnes
    QPR: Austin, Philips

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  11. This will probably look stupid, but if MA wants actions matching what he said, he should throw max money to Jurgen Klopp, let him bring his staff, control transfert dealings and more importantly, give an opportunity to our youngters to have succesful career. Klopp or not, the new He should be willing to bring the absolute best out of Ayoze, Dummett, Haidara, Lascelles, Darlow Aarons, Abeid, Vuckic, Sammy, Arma, Roberts, Heardman, Sterry etc. And keep Colback Janmaat De Jong Tioté as leaders. The sign 5 quality players including Austin and Ayew

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  12. Charlie Austin please, top target. He is a proper player in my book. Can cross, can shoot, can pass, can hold ball up, can header, can bully defenders.

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  13. For the clearout, I have Gouffran, one of Willo/Saylor, Raylor, Gouffran, Obertan, Cabella at half price, Riviere could be useful in the Best/Shola role but should not put block Arma’s progression. Cissé could stay as Supersub. Id keep Jonas and Colo or let them leave if they want to.

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  14. Well, it is now clear from Fat Sam’s departure that NUFC faced a team and manager that didn’t care. There is a little bit of credit to be given out to our players but there should be no illusions here that Uri Geller or John Carver had much to do with it.

    I believe Carver will be kept on but should be given a new title. Here are a few suggestions:

    Assistant Manager of the Car Park
    Kit-man
    Cone Arranger Supremo

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  15. I think what we can do is bring in somebody that knows about football to oversee appointments and player acquisitions. Demote Charnley back to the job he was doing before. If he doesn’t like it, he can apply to other clubs like some of his associates have done. Carr should be stripped of a say in the head coach/manager. And Carver should be given demeaning tasks and lets see if anyone else will hire him? His blather for the past 5 months has been excruciating to listen to.

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  16. Big D, re @544: please do not say that my blather for the last 5 months has also been excruciating 🙂 I know I left myself open for that one 🙂

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  17. We have seen how ruthless Ashley can be with club icons like Keegan and Shearer so why not with a paper tiger like Carver and a paper pusher like Charnley?

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  18. Ice/Stuart… Key’s had said during his Bein Sports prog yesterday about the Tuesday announcement. He is a complete tw@t but he does seem to get stuff right long before the UK press pick up on it so he must have a few contacts. Mind he also gets loads wrong too but then that could be because things change so quick in football….or some of his contacts are **** 🙄

    Ref Carver, I’ll say it one more time, he is not nor was he ever considered for the main job, he was always a stand in. 😉

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  19. I see the fair weather supporters come out after a win 🙄 😛

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  20. It (manager) will be the wally with the brolly…I told you all this a week or so back! 😉

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  21. Gray and Keys predictions: Hull 2 Man U 1. NUFC 1 WH 1. Apparently it hadn’t filtered through to BEin that Fat Sam was out.

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  22. Yep you have, us proper supporters were out before the win 😉 …and some of us even said there was nowt to worry about and that we’d finish above the mackems, not that I’d like to say I told you so as i know no one ever does that on here! 😆

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  23. Eric…Yeah it had filtered through, they’ve been banging on about it for week, same as the UK press…they’re just **** at predictions like most of the pundits on here 😉

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  24. Ha, I bet a few on here are really disappointed that we were not relegated. ..just because they didn’t get to say I told you so” 😆

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  25. Richietoon: you don’t hedge your bets either @547 saying Keys gets some stuff right and some stuff wrong 🙂

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  26. RT: I predicted a win because I always go with my heart with NUFC, that’s why I never bet on them 🙂 I’d be broke if I did.

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  27. Aussie 😉

    Eric…I don’t really need to hedge my bets because I couldn’t give a **** whether he’s right or wrong…actually not strictly true, I prefer him to be wrong ‘cos he’s a *** 😛

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  28. RT: I get The Keys and Gray show on BEin sports here in the US and Keys doesn’t seem as bad as the journalists he has on 🙂 I like how Andy seems more interested in who he played golf with now than the actual football and is working on his tan and belly in equal measure.

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  29. Aussie…just female ones in my opinion, but hey who am I to judge 😆

    Eric…Yeah I get there footy coverage here, I never watch the talk show bit though.

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  30. Eric – your blather has been excruciating too for the last 5 months. 😛
    I hope this head coach position is sorted out soon, so you can get some closure.
    We all need some relief from the ‘pickled walnut with hair’ torture you are hung up about.

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  31. It better not be SM 😯 last thing we want is the reality crew telling us ‘i told you there is no better than Pardew’ 🙄

    I know its only been one game but if Anita can play like that alongside Colback, I’d keep him here. Sissoko looked better on the right, (although a little heavy-footed first half). but with Abeid to back up the midfield i’d sell Tiote and buy a play-maker.

    a playmaker, 4 decent center-halfs, a right-back and two strikers would do me for now.

    Get shot of Goof, Ober, Rivi, Marv, Raylor, Willo, Colo, Tiote and keep a hold of Aarons and Sissoko.. Charnley certainly has his work cut oot 😀

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  32. 🙄 well I suppose hes better than Carver 😕 but I’m not convinced at all. His record is ****. 😳

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  33. Yeah don’t know what to make of it either (long term) still as long as it is not Carver!

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  34. since yesterday evening the are a few more managers available
    klopp
    di matteo – sacked by schalke 04
    huub stevens – quit stuttgart after saving them from relegation
    laudrup
    mcclaren – may be available but still at derby for the time being
    krancar – or whatever his name is at boro, may be available depending upon what happens tonight
    billic – my money is on him taking over at west ham
    ancelotti – may be coming available but milan or on his case
    benitez – may be available but rm are on his case
    rogers – may be available due to yesterdays result and a growing fan
    unrest

    li would love it to be klopp or benitez, but can see mcclaren coming in. he is the only manager who would come. i really can’t see the grey man charnley enchanting any of the other candidates.

    maybe this is the job for mcclaren, apparently he had derby playing fantastic football until they went of the rails. he knows the championship and can pick up some bargains there. he has a super cv and has international experience. unfortunately he carries a load of media induced baggage which won’t sit well with toon fans who now want to be taken serious after the near miss with relegation. ashley’s interview has given us hope. can charnley deliver, does mr charnley realise that mr ashley has realigned himself somewhat alongside the fans with his statement, and that we are all now looking eagerly at how the “football board”, whoever they may be, because most of them have quit, react ?

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  35. for me, its more of the same if SM comes in. Whats the point in buying players if the manager is 2nd rate. Ashley is an astute business man, surely he needs to get shot of pen-pusher Charnley.

    Has Charnley any idea regarding the quality of English / European Managers??

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  36. Eminem, a reliable friend and die hard derby fan informed me that his brother played a round of golf with the Derby keeper coach and he said that they had all agreed to take over next season back in January. It was at this time that Derby started declining and apparently rumours are rife that the deal is done around the town…look things can change but I believe this to be true.. …. I bet this rumour will bite me in the ****! 😆

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  37. Munich – from your list, who do you see as realistic options?
    Also, I see you’ve left the likes of Big Sam, Arry and Bruce off there 😳

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  38. a friend of a fan that has a brother who knows a taxi driver who knew a bricky that played golf with an uncle of a reserve keeper 😆

    Sounds like a certainty Aussie. I’d think Uri Gellers claims are more believable 😉

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  39. @570. If it was all agreed in January then why did they just have talks and try to get him to resign? no deal is in place.

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  40. Rogers record: walks out on Watford in 1st season. Gets canned by Reading after 6 months for being rubbish. Takes Swansea up and has 1 good season in PL. Hired by Liverpool. Wins nothing in 3 years, throws the title away with the SAS up front. Signs Balotelli and fails to change him. Ends the season out of Europe getting thrashed by Stoke. Failure often criticised by his fans for having no plan b and rubbish at organising defense. On top of all that, he has been poor when managing Liverpool in Europe.

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  41. We should get a good foreign coach who knows how to get teams playing football instead of hooffball, which would benefit out current crop of foreigners much more.

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  42. sharpy, it won’t happen but i would go all out for klopp mate. having watched klopp for years, he really is different from the rest of the egos doing the rounds. he burns for the attention and love from the players and fans alike, and came from humble beginnings at mainz.
    in my opinion the toon fans and klopp would be a marriage made in heaven.

    at the same time, i reckon klopp will end up at liverpool, and mcclaren will take over at the toon. the weakest link in the chain will be charnley and the support mechanism at nufc. too few football people who have seen it and done it involved. we have the chance to go big now and build on the owners seemingly big promisess, but will falter at director level because the all round mix at nufc isn’t set up to move forward…..mr charnley is obviously too risk averse for some reason. at least carver wore his heart on his sleeve. the club need something in between the caution of charnley and the hotheadedness and passion of jc to move the club forward.

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  43. amf it’s good to see you back on mate, i never bought into what troy was saying about you being off in a hissy fit mate.

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  44. I think I said we would finish 14/15th. Just didn’t think it would be quite this close to relegation…

    But anyway, where do we need strengthening? I think before anybody leaves we need: 1 decent striker, 2 x centre halves, 1 x creative midfielder and 1 x winger. But I also expect Krul, Tiote, Sissoko and Cisse to leave which means we need to replace them too. So we could need to bring in 9 players. Big ask! Even bigger ask if we continue to want value over everything else.

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  45. shamrock, rogers does seem to be a media darling devoid of criticism. a bit like alan pardew actually.

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  46. Munich – if Ashley wants to do it big and really go for it, I reckon he does whatever it takes to get KK in at Director level. I know it won’t happen, but he’s the football man they need in there I reckon.
    McClaren I think is a safe choice, I think he’s good for 8th-12th in the league regularly and could take us on cup runs. I think he’s steady but how many days is he going to bring to SJP like we saw under KK – fans loving their football. Klopp would defo be the man for that I reckon.
    Not sure about Di Matteo & Laudrup – could be interesting.

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  47. sharpster, di matteo would be a charnley like choice. but heaven forbid, not another grey-man

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  48. For Head Coach, the dream is Klopp, but Id take Bilic, Galtier, Pulis, McClaren, Ranieri, Karanka

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  49. It may sound stupid, but Id go for Michael Carrick if possible, this looks like perfect moment to bring him at Nufc. With Carrjck Colback Abeid Anita and Kemen we’ll be fine. Playmakers are de Jong and Vuckic.

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