Game on! Newcastle V West Ham

Shamrock

A welcome to West Ham United
A welcome to West Ham United
Welcome one and all to match day and today we host an in form West Ham United looking to have progressed under Slaven Bilic this season.

This week we welcomed Henri Saivet and Jonjo Shelvey and at the time of writing I think it’s fair to say Shelvey is going to be a Toon Army favourite!

Newcastle United:Elliott, Janmaat, Coloccini, Mbsmba, Dummett, Sissoko, Shelvey, Colback, Wijnaldum, Perez, Mitrovics.

Subs: Darlow, Lascelles, Gouffran, Saivet, Aaron’s, Riviere, Toney.

West Ham United:Adrian, Timkins, Collins, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Noble, Kouyate, Obeyang, Antonio, Valencia, Payer.

Subs:Randolph, Reid, Song, Jenkinson, Moses, Jelevic, Cullen.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick.

HWTL!

About Shamrock

Like everyone here, support Newcastle United. Not the easiest side to feel good about at times, but it's our side!

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369 thoughts on “Game on! Newcastle V West Ham”

  1. If mitro continued to do what he’s doing then mitro would be the new shola.
    Shola was no different to mitro at the same age. It’s just shola stayed and did the same for 12 yrs.
    The difference is shola had better feet but mitro has a better head.
    Cheeses. Mitro played his part but in front of goal he was woeful. And has been since he came. He’s not a natural finisher at this level. It’s a big step up.

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  2. To be fair, Troy a chance is a chance. It doesn’t matter where in the world or what league you’re in the goals are the same size and a finish is a finish and he scored nearly 30 goals last season so he can obviously finish. I just think he needs to relax and get a bit of confidence.

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  3. Mitro scored in the Champions league too. he got a pen awarded v Arsenal and scored the equaliser after going down 3-0.

    Shola was always off-side, forever straying the line. Mitro has a better strike on him too. Shola often swung his leg full force to produce a dribble of a shot

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  5. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< was disappoint that matip signed for liverpool weve miss a trick there in my opinion

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  7. Troy – I’m with you regarding Mitrovic. I hope he comes good coz you can see how much he cares & how much he wants it.
    I know what Stu is saying, he is young and I think if he misses his first chance then he lets it get to him. Maybe it would be worth getting a striking coach in to work with him a bit – Shola maybe 😆

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  8. The most important thing here regarding Mitro is the fact he’s not hiding. He keeps trying, never loses faith that he can score. So long as he keeps creating chances he will come good but sadly he hasn’t the luxury of time due to our position which is a concern. His hold up play is very good and he’s far better than Shola imo.

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  9. Troy – Are you seriously ignoring his overall goal scoring record in his career and basing your opinion on 5 months here?

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  10. I’m glad patience is alive and well anyway. If he was 30 I’d be worried we’d wasted a load of money but his career (very young career) says he’s a 1 in 2 striker which ain’t too shabby.

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  11. @Stu

    of course he is, he shoots straight from the hip using his visionary reading of the game and superior logic :mrgreen:

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  13. WOW.writing off a 21 year old kid thats been in the league 5 minutes,and less face it has been living off scraps,but aye lets get rid hes no good.
    the only conclusion i can come too is troy hasnt got a fkin igloo about football and how its played.

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  14. using the same logic troy applied to SM to be sacked for someone ******* instead of giving him a chance to improve
    .
    Who thinks we should sack Mitro in this window for Shola, Carlton Cole or Hesky 😆

    haha Troy. you Plonker! 😛

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  15. 😆 😆 how much time was Riviere, Cabella, Thauvin given before ACTUALLY written off like?.
    I say ACTUALLY because nobody is writing Mitrovic off!!. This is what Troy said:
    If mitro continued to do what he’s doing then mitro would be the new shola.

    And I have to agree with him. The lad is getting into good positions, but he HAS to start converting his chance. Centre forwards, particularly young centre forwards need to be scoring or their confidence goes and it really affects their game.

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  16. @Sharpy

    Well I’d say if Mitro continues what he doing he’ll be a decent player for us. he’s improving all the time and is playing his part for the team.

    I do agree though, we need goals fast.

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  17. Gash – all we are saying is that Mitrovic has 4 goals in 20 games – but within those games he’s had chances to be on at least double that.
    Nobody is slagging or writing him off – I’d hope Mitrovic himself would be disappointed with his goal return based on some of the chances he’s missed.
    Yes he’s a young lad learning, and has had to shake off this bad boy image, so has maybe been less aggressive than he’d like to be in an attempt to stay out of trouble. But he must improve quicker in front of goal.

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  18. There are strikers littered all round the premiership who get in positions but don’t score. They get dropped after a whlie cos teams need goals.

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  20. Actually Sharpy Troy said “Mitro played his part but in front of goal he was woeful. And has been since he came. He’s not a natural finisher at this level. It’s a big step up.”

    Saying he’s not a natural finisher at this level is writing him off…

    Riviere was written off based on his overall poor performances – he offered nothing, Mitro does!

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  21. what about strikers that set up goals and bring in other players with there hold up play.
    please stop your making your self look very silly.

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  23. I’d also like to add that almost all of his chances today he hit the target. If he keeps doing that he will score and continue to contribute to the team even more.

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  24. Stu – hes not a natural finisher at this level, or he would have scored more. But that’s not to say he can’t develop into one – particularly I’d we continue to add quality in our offensive play. I think the quality Shelvey has and if Townsend comes in – that will all help Mitrovic.
    But he has to work on his composure & his finishing or he’s the type of personality that could self destruct. I base that on his reaction in scoring his penalty against Man U – pure relief.

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  25. Sharpy – A chance is a chance… It doesn’t matter what level it is. The hardest thing to do when going up a level is actually getting the chances but he gets them. He’s scored 1 in 2 throughout his career and I imagine he will be a good goal scorer for us in the future. 4 in 17 and some of them as a sub isn’t a disaster but I would be a hell of a lot more concerned if he wasn’t getting the chances or was hiding.

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  26. Stu @173 – A stat that will only **** Mitrovic himself off more than if he missed the target with ever effort I reckon.
    That’s like saying the goal keeper conceded 5 but got his hand to every one of them.

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  28. And I mean complete and utter garbage! I can’t believe you think a striker would be happier if he missed the target rather than hit it!

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  30. Stu – how is it rubbish?.

    Regardless of how you are reading what I’m saying, I am not writing the lad off. But a CF doesn’t gain confidence from getting into the positions, or hitting the target. They get their confidence from scoring goals mate.
    Regardless of age or experience, Mitrovic would have set his own personal goals for this season, and I reckon he will have targeted more than 4 goals half the season in.

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  31. Stu – you know what I mean by that mate, don’t start getting silly when we are having a decent conversation please.
    What I mean is that if he misses every chance he can write it off as a bad day at the office. But if he’s hitting the target continually but they aren’t going in, it’s human nature to start doubting yourself.
    He misses and he can think ‘I know I can do a lot better than that’ but he hits the target & plays well and it doesn’t go in and he starts think ‘am I good enough’.

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  32. If Mitrovic isn’t looking at Gini thinking I should have scored 9 by now then he isn’t worth his salt as a CF!!.

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  33. Sorry but for me Mitro has had a lot of chances but just doesn’t seem to be able to finish it of, which for me a strikers job is to put the ball in the back of the net, not just to set up others or to bring others into the game, that is an added bonus, but their no1 job is to hit the back of the net.
    It might come for Mitro in time and I hope it does but for me at this minute in time he is not fulfilling his job .

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  34. Real pluses for me are Wini though I doubt we will keep him for long as he is miles better than a bottom half team. And Shelvey I said earlier I think he will make a big impression on todays game, and he was. I think he is the type of player we have been crying out for. IMO he is a Cabaye only a harder player with more balls .

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  35. I think the defending of Mitrovic is just a result of people being so vocal about signing this “world class” striker instead of Charlie Austin that they now cannot admit the guy isn’t doing the job he was signed to do.

    Austin and Adam Le Fondre’s goal escapades in this division came before it was cool to acknowledge someone who was a lower league player. Now Vardy hit his record, people aren’t quite as bigoted over someone’s history in football.

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  36. Also, I see Shelvey much more like a Joey Barton than a Cabaye.

    I think people romanticise Cabaye and forget how dirty he could be and negatively look at the bad side of Barton and forget how good a player he could be when not locked up.

    Hopefully Shelvey can be the right mix in the middle of those two.

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  37. Brilliant display of passing by Shelvey. That’s what I was hoping to see. We should start to climb the table now but still need a true finisher and a CB.

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  38. Big Dave – 2 great comments my friend
    Bang on.
    I would just like to add, that Mitro shouldn’t be put in the the position of leading the line solo.
    **** poor management imho.

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  41. Big Dave,

    Except Shelvey doesn’t have Cabaye’s looks or Barton’s swish hair or mustache.

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  42. Strikers countrywide get in good positions and don’t score. They are ten a penny. What is it that anyone sees I’m Mitro that he’s ganna make it?
    He’s 21 not 18.
    He’s had his best game to date and missed chance after chance.
    Perez is a natural goal scorer. Mitro at this level isn’t.
    Whether Perez’s record is only slightly better than Mitros doesn’t tell the full story.
    I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. He will be sold on this summer.

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  44. Just popped outside again. It’s a clear sky the neet on tyneside. The international space station is gleaming in the sky.
    I don’t know if Peakey is waving like he did yesterday on hs sky walk but I’ve got young Chip waving a fluorescent toon flag on the front garden hoping Peakey will acknowledge it. Poor Chip. He’s been oot side in minus 3 temps for 3 hours waving furiously !
    I can see Peakey looking oot his spaceship window but catching his eye is proving harder than I thought.
    Ganna climb on me roof in my cape and trunks with a fluorescent tube in my mouth like I had in my rave days.
    He’s got to see that!
    A divvent want to use my laser pen cos I’m on bail conditions not to. I brought doon a DC747 3 yr agan.
    A will. Though if he doesn’t wave!

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  45. Mitro will do just fine once he settles in. Purely the fact that he occupies the opposing centre half with his muscle will create chances for his teammates. just watch he will be soon blasting balls into the back of the net, the bloke is brlilliant for a young lad.

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  47. Wow! Big claim from MM. He will soon be blasting the balls in the back of the net. He’s brilliant for a young lad. 😯
    I’ll give you a chance to moderate your opinion MM. We’ll put it doon to strong German beer eh?

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  52. Daily mail reckon we are after Gomis from Swansea and that he has a £7million release clause so there’s not a lot Swansea can do about it. I think that deal makes sense… Premiership experience, decent price AND it weakens a fellow relegation rival (although i’m feeling more optimistic that we will finish closer to the 50 point mark than the 40 point mark at the moment.

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3402987/Newcastle-United-ready-make-7m-Swansea-striker-Bafetimbi-Gomis.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

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  53. Mitrovic misses a lot in front of goal it had to be said. BUT his contribution overall is key and it allows Gini to flourish. With the addition of Jonjo keep the current team with Mitrovic and Gini and the midfield duo of Shelvey Colback. Ayoze would be more effective with Janmaat and Townsend the same with Dummett who is the best LB and deserves to keep playing.

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  54. Agree on thing, Colback and Shelvey can provide a formidable midfield duo. Along Wijnaldum as n10 I honestly think we should keep that trio for at least 5 season. Among them 3 your midfield got it all and will dominate the game.

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  55. I meant for 10 years not 5! I want this team imo:
    —————————Elliott—————————
    -Janmaat-Mbemba-Coloccini-Dummett-
    —Sissoko-Colback-Shelvey-Townsend-
    —————-Mitrovic-Wijnaldum—————-
    Subs: Krul, Lascelles, Mbabu, (Anita), Saivet, Aarons, Ayoze.
    With the arrivals of Townsend and Shelvey, I believe we’ll see the best of Colback and Dummett. If at some point we sell Sissoko, Ayoze should start on right wing and provide that balance and bring back Adam Armstrong. Townsend hopefully a proper left winger in the mould of Laurent Robert. Hopefully lots of good crosses for Mitrovic, Wijnaldum and other.

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  56. Shola was more effective than Mitro and that is my contribution to the debate. That’s a big claim to make. I’m a maker of big claims. Deal with it suckers. Gets some nuts. Snickers! 😯

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  57. 7 mil on a 30-y-o Gomis? Can’t see the club doing that. He would want a long contract too. No chance.

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  59. Despite Gomis looking beasty at the beginning of the season, he’s now similar to last season.. Pretty *****

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  60. Gash – no mate, never rated Conor Whickham – I drank in Wickham, maybe that’s the confusion 😉 😆

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  61. Come on Troy, you’re not normally this simple… Perez misses as many chances as Mitro and has the same amount of goals. Played most games last season and didn’t get double figures. He’s another who will improve and become a great player for us providing he’s not sold but he’s young and misses chances – yet he escaped the criticism. Strange.

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  62. Mitro will come good, no question. He was communicating, making runs, getting into good positions and holding the ball up well. He also hit the target a fair few times but also missed a couple of sitters. The pace and reaction time is less in this league but he is almost there and I’ve no doubt he’ll be a good player for us.

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  64. Sham – The main reason why strikers fail at the top level is because they don’t get the chances, they’re not intelligent enough to find space and their movement is poor. Mitro has all that – he will score goals as he’s proved that throughout his short career so far. As I said previously – a chance is a chance whatever level you’re playing…

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  65. Also as good as Gini is and he is brilliant – he’s missed some real sitters this season. He’s scored 9 yes but he’s played every game from the start so maybe not a great comparison.

    Also I thought Dummet might been able to clear their goal of he’s tried to clear it with his right foot instead of left.

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  67. With mitro. It’s all about the pace of the game. At times he looks a second off the pace but I agree, given time he’ll be OK. I think he had a really good game yesterday followed on from a decent game v Manu

    How many strikers to Southampton need? Tadic, Pellè.
    , Austin, Mane, long 😯 greedy tw*ts

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  68. But the whole play was very encouraging. Closing down, passing with speed, accuracy and one touch passes were a delight to see. Hope we continue to improve.

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  69. mitrovic, perez, wijnaldum and sissoko all missed or scuffed at excellent chances, in fact we could and should have been 4 up in the first half. that was the big improvement on things because at least we are creating chances now. shelvey put in a fantastic debut, wijnaldums running with the ball was sublime, and mitrovics hold up play brilliant. mitro put in such a shift defensively, with 2 12 feet defenders on his back for most of the game, that when the chances fell to him in the final quarter of the game he was too knackered to finish them off. the is no doubting hes a class act though, and will come good.

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  71. Mitro had a good game….. the other players are feeding off him nicely. . I really rate him, the goals will come…

    Sharpy, I remember you banging on about Wickham mate, twas when he was at Sunderland 😉

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  75. It won’t happen but Shearer as a part time strikers coach, working with Mitro/Rivière on their finishing and Cisse on his hold up play would make a real difference. Also would be a perfect mentor for young strikers at academy level.

    I’ve never understood why goalkeepers have specialist coaches and other positions don’t. I can only think of Dean Saunders at our place & Sheringham at West Ham last season.

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