Match Preview/Stats/Thread: Newcastle Utd v West Ham Utd
By Tyne-Talk August 24 2013
Newcastle United host West Ham this afternoon in their first game of the season at St James’ Park. Newcastle go into the game on the back of a heavy defeat against Manchester City on Monday night, whilst West Ham travel on the back of a win at Upton Park against Cardiff City.
The best news for Alan Pardew’s side is that former Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll will not play against his old team-mates as he continues to struggle with an ankle injury. West Ham are also without defender George McCartney (knee).
Sam Allardyce is expected to give Razvan Rat his club debut and a start to Stewart Downing.
Newcastle’s season couldn’t have got off to a worse start as fans watched in dismay as Steven Taylor got himself sent off during their 4-0 defeat at the Etihad on Monday night. Taylor starts his three game ban this afternoon, whilst Davide Santon (hip) is a doubt.
Jonas Gutierrez (hamstring) is unavailable and joins Loic Remy (calf/shin), Mike Williamson (knock) and Massadio Haidara (unspecified) on the side-lines, whilst Cheik Tiote (groin) is a concern as he faces a late fitness test.
The on-going debate around Yohan Cabaye could see him once again excluded from the side for “having his head turned”, despite the club continuing to pay him a hefty wage to actually play football and not sit around contemplating his future.
Alan Pardew is under huge pressure to perform this afternoon against his former club, whilst former Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce, who went to watch Newcastle on Monday night, will be once again relishing the opportunity to be victorious.
Fact: Kevin Nolan will be the man to watch today after scoring in three of the last four games between the two sides (twice for Newcastle). However the last time Newcastle won this fixture was in 2011 when Nolan scored. West Ham won this fixture last season thanks to a Nolan goal.
Fact: Only Arsenal have had more players dismissed than Newcastle since the beginning of last season (Newcastle 5 – Arsenal 6).
Fact: West Ham were the only team to keep a clean sheet against Newcastle home and away last season.
Newcastle United
West Ham
1
Played
1
0
Points
3
0
Won
1
0
Drawn
0
1
Lost
0
0
Goals Scored
2
4
Goals Conceded
0
Match Preview/Stats/Thread: Newcastle Utd v West Ham Utd
Posted by: TyneTalk (IP Logged)
Date: 24/08/2013 10:26
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Its early in the season to say this but this is a must win game in my opinion, nothing less can be settled for in this fixture, we need this to at least show the fans some hope in the coming season.
I don't think this will be an easy game, got to be honest.
Hopefully an improvement on Monday woeful showing.
I am meeting up with a friend of mine who happens to support west ham after the game before he returns to London, the thought of putting up with him gloating is more than I think I can stomach.
I don't know if anyone remembers this fixture last year. I think it was possibly the worst game I have ever actually been to.
So with all that in mind I am going to go for a 2-1 win.
Can't see where we're gonna get a goal with the tactics pardew plays ! Cisse up front on his own is pointless and might as well just play 6 in midfield , can't see a win today but a performance is a must
He is being paid to play - if his head is not in the right place he shouldn't be here pretending to be a footballer as generally most footballers want to be playing
the club will quite rightly hold out for how much they want for him, if the deal doesn't happen in time will he be accepted back into the team, he's apparently decided to train on his own
Did everyone miss the wild passes from the midfield that squandered possession on a regular basis today and almost cost us dearly by putting west ham clean through on goal ?
It wasn't untill the 70th minute that they seamed to wake up and actually play , is it to much to ask for it to be the other way round and get 70 mins of football and 20 where they disappear
They may not have been quiet as bad as last season but still a very long way off being good enough
we were better than west ham and thats something we couldn't say last season!
The midfield might not have been amazing but they were better than we had a lot of last season, they weren't over run like most games last season and once Anita and marveaux start getting more game time they will improve.
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