Game On! Newcastle v West Ham

toonsy

Game on at SJP!
Game on at SJP!
It feels strange saying this, but to me this actually feels like our first game of the season.

Playing away as an opener isn’t great and when it’s against a team like Manchester City it kind of leaves you a bit feeling flat, but it’s done now and hopefully our season can start now.

The visitors are West Ham United who have strong ex-Newcastle connections and no doubt a point to prove once more. Kevin Nolan bagged the winner for his current employers last term so a repeat of that will need to be avoided, as will Sam Allardyce extending his unbeaten run as a manager against us ever since he was removed from the managerial hotseat at St James’ Park. Another former Mag, Andy Carroll, will have to wait to face us.

I can’t stress the importance of getting a win today. Being bottom of the table, even after only one game, isn’t nice so we need to get away from that. Another important factor is the level of performance which needs to be greatly improved if we are to improve this season.

The game is not being shown live here in the UK but it is being broadcast throughout the world on various overseas TV channels so there is a chance a stream could be available. As usual, should you happen to find one then please share it with your fellow NUFC fans by leaving a link in the ‘comments’ section below.

Team news will be added into the article around one hour before kick-off and will be provided by Big Dave as I’m at work unfortunately, which might actually be a good thing as we always seem to do quite well when I’m not watching.

So here we go. The first game at St James’ Park for the season. What will it bring? Will it allow a brief ray of sunlight to break through the gloom surrounding United at the moment? Or will those clouds darken still further?

Howay the lads!

Newcastle: Krul; Debuchy, Coloccini (c), Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon; Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Anita, Marveaux; Shola Ameobi, Cissé.

Subs: Elliot, Bigirimana, Dummett, Gosling, Gouffran, Vuckic, Sammy Ameobi.

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O’Brien, Collins, Reid, Noble, Diame, Nolan, Downing, Jarvis, Maiga

Subs: Adrian, Rat, Tomkins, Diarra, Morrison, Cole, Vaz Te

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

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706 thoughts on “Game On! Newcastle v West Ham”

  1. Oh dear. 😯 Dear me. 😯

    How I chuckle at those who are now clambering to join the reality crew. 😛
    Hi Mark, how’s you tonight. 😉
    I won’t hold my breath, you may be slagging me off tomorrow. 😆

    @ Begas

    The best fans in the world, actually pay hard earned cash to watch utter ***** week in week out.
    You may sit 8k miles away and have an opinion on the fans on your laptop but its a typical cheap shot comment from someone who doesn’t pay a penny towards the club. First time I’ve intentionally swore at someone on this blog.
    Begas you *******. 😈

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  3. @Prem

    Fine fella. Just come back from a great wedding do.

    I find it astonishing some people have the nerve to criticise the toon fans in these dire circumstances.

    It’s a good job I only fizz for a few minutes or otherwise I would be phoning up Quantos airlines!!! 😛

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  4. And if anybody is interested, here’s a place to go for an introductory lesson on FFP http://www.financialfairplay.co.uk/financial-fair-play-explained.php

    I’ve yet to find anywhere that adequately explains to me what the PL restrictions mean or how they work in practice, particularly as applied to NUFC. From what little I understand, however, it gives some context to Pardews utterances about not being able to compete with the likes of Southampton, etc.

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  5. I can see the point that “best fans” and hypercritical don’t sit well together. Fortunately I missed todays game. Dire is the best description I’ve heard. Maybe Palace or Charlton will want Pards. Difficult to spot a likely replacement though.

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  6. Bris my article is a masterpiece of clarity and insight. either that or plain bullshit. coming to a blogsite near you soon

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  9. I was going to add more, Prem, but if your article is happening then I’ll hold off. It’s an interesting topic and far better than reading the moanalot comments from those great fans who fizz because their egos are hurt.

    🙄 🙄 🙄

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  11. Btw Troy I donate $1000 a year to various charities in the NE in lieu of a season ticket (I’d pay it directly to the club if I thought it would be useful), and I also pay in excess of $100 a month for a premium tv service, some which finds its way back to the club through the tv deal. I also but merchandise directly from that shop in Eldon Square, not the Sports Direct store. Presumably that goes to the club as well.

    There’s lots to be critical of regarding NUFC, but when I read about people being embarrassed or that the club being a laughing stock, then I wonder whether it’s about them or the club. As for being relegated, well that’s just plain silly. I never want my team relegated, for any reason.

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  13. Here’s the thing that gets me fizzing like a Staver…. 😈
    After the summer off season we have had, how can anyone still be outraged or upset about how we are playing. Is anyone really surprised? We played West Ham, a team that finished higher than us on the table last season, has spent more than us this season and yet we somehow think that we should easily beat this team. 😯
    There seems to be a big variance between the opinions posted on here by some of the fans and their true expectations. Maybe all the moaners are really just positive folk dressed in neggars clothing 😆 😆 😆

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  14. Aussie… I don’t think anyone thinks we should have “easily” beat them, but whether they’ve spent more or not we should be beating teams like them at home, do you not agree?… of course if you can’t manage a single shot on target(which is a disgrace in itself against any opposition)) then you can’t beat anyone 🙄 …I hope Troy didn’t keep you up all night with his demands 😯 😉

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  16. “But if he scores goals and does well for us, Alan will be happy with our end of the deal; the player will be happy because he will come into contention for a World Cup place with France; and if both those things happen, Remy will go back to QPR as a World Cup player with a higher value than when he joined them, so everyone will come out of it well.”…So does that mean there’s nothing in place to buy him if he does well then? 🙄

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  17. Richie, we haven’t really beaten any team at home… so to answer your question, yes we should but isn’t a surprise that we aren’t 😉

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  19. and if both those things happen, Remy will go back to QPR as a World Cup player with a higher value than when he joined them, so everyone will come out of it well…

    apart from the Toon as we’ll be a a striker short..

    is he working for QPR now… 🙄

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  20. You can see why Pards doesnt just walk away from the club. it must be a joy working with JFK everyday with his well timed comments and team tweaking 😛

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  21. I’m upset about and outraged about it but you seem to be implying that unless it’s a “surprise” I have no right to be, so therefore I could also “imply” that if we don’t win a game and get relegated, it won’t be a surprise to you and so you won’t/can’t be upset about it 😉

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  23. Look, maybe it’s just me 😯 I find the constant stream of repeated negative comments disheartening and depressing.. I watched the game and then read through the comments and to be honest, most were terrible.The focus on the bad stuff around our team has festered into something I don’t like or enjoy. I think it is well established how bad the hierarchy at Newcastle are, repeating it at every opportunity gets old really quickly….
    No doubt I will get shot down for this post because of the criticisms… never mind.. 😕

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  24. Aussie….Well you shouldn’t be surprised if I used them incorrectly so don’t get upset about it 😉

    Aussie… I agree a lot of comments were over the top and many pissed me off too and it is depressing reading however my point was that we’re allowed to get upset when we play that poorly against, let’s face it poor opposition, especially at home, even v Citeh where we can’t really expect much, but what we should be able to expect is a battling performance and a bit of effort. 😉

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  25. Aus whilst I agree it is depressing. And I don’t like it. There isn’t a lot to talk about that is NUFC related and uplifting so I understand the negativity, especially after we have lost a home game against a team we are competing against in the league. However, some just repeat the same old **** again, and again, and again, and **** it I’ve got better things to do. C’Thee

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  26. Richie, i have never mentioned anything about anyone not be allowed to be upset at getting beaten or playing badly mate 😉 You have now moved from implying to assuming 😛

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  29. well the truth has came out,the gang had a meeting before season started,and said the team was strong enough to be in top ten as is,no talk of transfers,and remy goes back to qpr at end of season,so everybody is happy says joe 😯 😯

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  30. Woo hoo hoo hoo 😛

    For the sake of the blog Aussie. 😆

    Give yorsel a shake and man up man! 😆

    The best way to read your posts is to do it in a Mavis Riley voice and picture you. 😆

    Classic! Whining about the whiners. 😛

    Morning Aussie. 😛

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  31. TROY pleased you enjoyed your break,you were a miss,hope you brought back a stick of rock back for aussie just to sweeten him up a bit 😀

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  33. Aussie I agree there is too much doom and gloom with people talking about the negatives, so why dont you try to lift the mood and tell us about all the positives and what great things have been happening at our club lately

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  34. Thanks Roy @628. It was open when I was there last year, when I bought a top and a few mementos. I didn’t buy anything at Xmas, bought a couple of Gateshead tops instead – they needed the money more.

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  36. Big Dave, clean sheet.. Anita played well… Santon had a good game. Collo and Mbia look like they will be a good partnership given a run of games. First point on the board as well 😉

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  37. Aussie…Fair enough, you didn’t say they couldn’t get upset but you did question “how” anyone could get upset at the way we played…seriously you really don’t know? 😉 😆

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  38. Nolans trying to do his old mate a favour. Reid and Collins held him at arms length all day. Sadly we knew his initial unpredictibility and dribbling ability went with the delayed hip injury but his nuisance value has now gone as well which makes him totally and utterly obsolete.

    Im assuming Pardew played shola to add some much needed height, If you look at our side with Colo and Yanga Mbiwa who arent particularly tall for centre halves, Debuchy, Ben Arfa, Anita and Marveaux all well under 6 foot and Santon and Cisse who are unlikely to win too many headers either especially against a fat sam howkers 11.

    But **** knows why he lasted the full match, Sammy and Gouffran did well and justified the decision to bring them on but im still staggered at the call to take Cisse off after how many late goals he nabbed last season when we started to get on top of the opposition at SJP it was a near identical scenario to the stoke, anzi and fulham matches…

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  39. Where is Toonsy then? The new articles are rolling out slowly these days! Is nobody else administrating the site? What happened to MarkToon?

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  40. Richie, i said “still could be outraged or upset”.. not “how anyone could get upset”
    Let me explain it 😛 “still could be…. or upset” really says that some one is already angry prior to watching the game 😉

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  41. Toonsy’s working longer hours now that he is just working the UK, Mark chucked out a few articles a while back but none recently, Dave administers the Ban Hammer and Aussie administers to Troy’s every need 😯

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  45. Ha ha, got him 😆 I’ve never known you to back down when you know your right before cuda … it’s ok, everyone is wrong now and again, take big Dave for example, he is rarely right, check his comment at 69 😆 😆

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  48. Don’t put yourself down cuda, there’re plenty on here to do that for you 😉

    Whey at least there’s the cup game to look forward too…what could possibly go wrong? 🙄

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  49. True, we need a good win to lift the morale a tad.. you can talk up a winning mentality as much as you want during a preseason but words count for little, the only way to do it to string wins together.. it’s like we have forgotten how to win…

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  50. 😆 Cheers Ice, aye, I had a great time. Pentonville high security for a two week break. 😆

    I love our very own Mavis Riley, Aussie. 😆

    Begas is Albert Tatlock. 😆

    I thought each and every player was absolute average or under par on Saturday. It’s good to see the ambition of the club with Jokey stating the squad is good enough for a top 10 finish.

    It was only 2 seasons ago we came 5th.
    Is that progress?

    What’s happened to talk of reaching the CL or at least Europa?

    Simply, Ashley has discovered that the squad needs bolstering considerably if you qualify for Europa and he’s having none of it.

    If Jokey doesn’t strengthen the squad this week then I see a big rebellion from the fans. The enjoyment at the game is zilch for me.

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  51. Cheers Richie. There is 1 article in the queue, but needs signing off. I’m afraid it’s not one for the eternal optimists though hahah

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  52. Dear Newcastle United Fan,
    I just had a word with Alan and he isn’t moving to Crystal Palace it’s just paper talk. I know some of you might have lost slept last night worrying about him leaving. I know that’s a big relief to you all because his a top class manager that’s irreplaceable to the club.
    Joe Kinnear ( Director of Football )

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  54. “I know that’s a big relief to you all because his a top class manager that’s irreplaceable to the club.”

    Where were the sarky comments like that his time last year when he was being touted for liverpool and tottenham… 🙄

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  55. oh **** wor lass has stuck a brush and tin of paint in my hand,making a plan to side step this,might give joe a ring hes a artist at it 😀

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  56. The only thing to be clearly seen from Saturday is that there is absolutely no improvement on last year.
    Lots of very average players in the team and two total plonkers up front.

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  57. Ice ,I feel for you I have just done the through lounge , Skimmed walls ,painted ceilings ,woodwork ,walls , lots of sanding too. Looks nice now but my god it’s knackering and me tennis elbow is playing up as much as me gammy knee now 🙁

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  58. Dear Fan’s,
    I don’t think you should believe everything you read in the paper. Alan has done a wonderful job at the club. If Real Madrid or Barcelona came in for him then we wouldn’t stand in his way. I know he hasn’t won a game losing 4-0 to Manchester United and 0-0 to West brom but it’s early days! Ashley spent 60 million pounds in two years and bought 16 players to the club. We have a good squad here and Alan has told the players his not leaving. Jonas looked so happy that Alan was staying and gave him a big hug. As was Taylor and Shola so everyone behind the scenes is happy. Hopefully we get our first three points against Fulham and go on a run.
    Joe Kinnear ( Director of Football )

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  59. Georgio@656 ,Agree we still look poor but I don’t think all our players are poor tbh. It would be odd if every single player turned **** and under performed .The common denominator is Pardew and that’s quite simply where our problem lies . Players like Anita could excel in a attacking passing side ,sadly we aren’t doing this enough ,Pards reffered to fat Sams side as playing the long ball on Saturday but the stats show we played the most long balls 😳 ,until we start playing to our players strengths we will under perform .

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  61. CC Pardew’s win ratio is worse than Kenny Dalgleish’s and very comparable to the Sam Allardyce and Ruud Gullit era’s. All of which were regarded as utter failure’s during their time at the club. The only difference is that Pardew has had even longer at the helm. He’s *****.

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  62. George Caulkin ‏@CaulkinTheTimes 2h
    @GallowgatePete we’ve reported this morning that £7m offered for Ayew, but with this crew in charge can’t say with any certainly.

    View conversation

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  63. Kim…He’d be a cracking signing…for the first 3 or so games until our coaching takes effect 😉 😆

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  65. So presumably everybody thinks Alan Pardew should be replaced?

    After which game will he be sacked??

    Morecambe
    Fulham
    Aston Villa
    Hull

    My guess is after the Fulham game (unless we somehow manage to lose to Morecambe).

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  67. Expected results:

    Morecambe – a win with a rubbish performance.
    Fulham – Loss
    Aston Villa – BIG LOSS
    Hull – Draw

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  68. Kim…Aye…I his defence though I doubt he’s coached them not to be able to pass a ball 5 yards to each other, that’s all down to them 👿

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  70. Ayew and someone else he was watching, can’t remember his name. Probably january signing’s on the cheap.

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  71. Kim…I’m not saying they are all that poor but their passing is woeful at times and it shouldn’t be that bad and it can’t all be Pard’s fault. When I used to play and made a bad pass it was entirely down to me and no one else, it’s not like they don’t have the ability to pass. Ref Carr I’ve said before, he’s a scout nowt more or less, he hasn’t uncovered any hidden gems as yet and “if” it’s his idea to concentrate almost exclusively in the French market then yep he should be sacked imo 😯

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  72. Kim, It’s two early to say really. I’m not overly impressed with our january signing’s. They look out of there depth at times. If somebody takes Pardew’s job and does well then there’s your answer. Carr or Pardew ? The difference is Alan wants the best hoofball players ? Carr just spots talent but probably half the team aren’t adaptable to his tactics.

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  73. Pardew needs players like Ba and Carole who add that little bit extra. Cisse and Shola don’t do that ? The big question would it hurt Pardew if he tried different tactics or is he afraid because he doesn’t know how to do it ? i’m not sure

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  74. Would it really hurt to put your hands up and say I need help ? Hire some coaches that now more about passing and teach Pardew ? I know I would appropriate him getting experienced coaches in to help but he can’t do it on his on

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  75. The trouble is he is to stubborn to say I need help ? Thinks he is smarter than he is. Just tell Ashley I need better coaches and learn from them. Instead of stupid excuses all the time ?

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