West Ham v Newcastle – Match preview.

Posted on October 22nd, 2010 | 105 Comments |

Upton Park - Home of The Hammers.
Upton Park - Home of The Hammers.
Chris Hughton takes Newcastle back to one his old stomping grounds on Saturday evening, with both sides knowing that three points would do them the world of good.

Hughton was actually in charge of Newcastle the last time the two sides met at Upton Park back in September 2008 in which The Hammers strolled to a 3-1 victory in his caretaker capacity.

I think it is fair to say that a win for Newcastle would be a good result, and given the poor run of home form the team seem to be going through right now I would also say that gaining the three points away from home is something we will need to do at somepoint during the season in our efforts to secure Premier League survival.

Kevin Nolan will be back in the squad for the trip to the capital after being rested last week to allow a niggling ankle injury to calm down whilst Danny Simpson will be pushing for a start at the expense of James Perch after coming through his third reserve game in midweek unscathed.

Hughton has said that he will pick players judged on what they do on the training pitch, so with that in mind I would expect to see Andy Carroll involved in proceedings despite his recent predicament. Hatem Ben Arfa, Steven Taylor, Dan Gosling, Steve Harper and Sol Campbell are all on the sidelines with various injuries, which means I would expect to see a team of;

NewcastleTim Krul, James Perch, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Wayne Routledge, Cheick Tiote, Joey Barton, Jonas Gutierrez, Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll.

West Ham are currently rooted to the bottom of the table despite being unbeaten in the last five games, a run that has included victories over Sunderland (get in) and Tottenham. They will be hoping to make the most of Newcastle’s awful form in the capital, but they will have to look for the win without the services of Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), Zavon Hines (knee) and Jack Collison (knee).

The Hammers drew 1-1 at Wolves in their last Premier League encounter where they fielded a team of;

West HamRobert Green, Danny Gabbidon, Lars Jacobsen, Tal Ben Haim, Manuel Da Costa, Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Kieron Dyer, Luis Boa Morte, Frederic Piquionne, Victor Obinna.

Upton Park is not an easy place to go to, although Newcastle have been surprisingly decent on the road so far this season. I expect a tough game, and I also expect to be kicked in the balls by former Magpies Scott Parker or Kieron Dyer, or both probably.

My prediction: West Ham 2-0 Newcastle.

Howay the lads!

NUFCBlog Author: toonsy toonsy has written 643 articles on this blog.

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105 Responses

  1. “Hughton was actually in charge of West Ham the last time the two sides met at Upton Park back in September 2008 where he guided The Hammers to a 3-1 victory in his caretaker capacity.”

    I think not. Hughton couldn’t buy a win at the time and, unfortunately, was ours.

  2. My full prediction… We will play better but still get hit by a biased ref and a sucker-punch penalty that Parker will bury.

    West Ham 2 – NUFC 1

  3. I’m not anti CH at all but this sort of stuff (admittedly written by the Chronicle) really makes me wonder about him and his ability to see the wood for the trees.

    http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/nufc-news/2010/10/22/hughton-wary-about-rushing-simpson-return-72703-27525009/

    Although he may be wary about “rushing” Simmo back he’s surely got to take into account

    1. The lad’s had three reserve games, the last of which was on Tuesday night.
    2. Beardsley says he’s a “better player than I thought” 3. The alternative to playing him is Perch or Raylor.

    And when asked if he felt Simpson was ready, Hughton told the Chronicle: “That’s a decision I have to make”

    No rush Hoots in your own time :(

  4. ‘On 22 February 2008, he was appointed first team coach at Newcastle United by director of football Dennis Wise, joining Kevin Keegan’s coaching staff, working primarily on defence with Steve Round.’

  5. When was Hughton ever at West Ham?

    Anyway I think we might sneak a draw.

    I’ll be watchin it in the Irish bar with a cold pint. That reminds me, I must donate when I get back. I haven’t forgot about you, Worky.

  6. So what is the better plan? Let Danny S play tomorrow where the home fans won’t get on his case if he has a few errors, or hold him and Taylor for Arsenal where the home crowd will be less critical?

  7. Andy…he always talks like that mate, rightly in my opinion he can’t really come out and say I’m going to rush him straight back in cos he other lads who can play there are no good ;-)

  8. AndyMac

    I’d be surprised if Simpson is any better than Perch mate, although some on here seem to think it will be a miricle cure to our defense. His positioning and closing down is cack.

  9. Stuart,he played there for a while but I don’t know about him ever being a coach there.

  10. Unfortunately, Toonsy, I agree with your assessment… almost.

    I think we’ll give them more of a game than you suggest, and nick at least one.

    I think we should hold off before condemning Perch; he’s shown some really good play as well as the nightmare stuff, so let’s get off his back. I’d much rather see us start with Shola and Ranger up front, but I expect Nolan will indeed be in there. Likewise with Guthrie versus Barton.

    Most of all, I just get the feeling we’ve got a logjam of goals built up over several unlucky matches, and they’ll either come through tomorrow or (better still) against the muck-sniffers on the 30th.

  11. We must believe brothers, if we can give everton and man city a game we can give these cockney slags a game too. Keep the faith brothers.

  12. DJG……I’m hoping it was his injury that hindered him before cos he backs off far to much for my liking then can’t make the tackle cos they’re in the box.At least Perch clatters them before they get into the area ;-)

  13. I think STaylor may turn out to be 1st-choice RB at this rate. Nice thought, actually – him, Sol, Collo, Willo and Jose. Not exactly a line of blushing violets, is it?

  14. I actually think Hughton knows more than us and is doing his best with a squad that is poor by premier league standards. When he says I won’t rush Simmo, Ranger or R Tayor in it might be because he watches them in traing every day and they simply arn’t good enough. After sat I had a horrible sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that he’s playing Perch and Nolan coz their actually the best we’ve got. I don’t think the rest have fully got over Benny’s injury yet either and although Nolan can lift the team in spirt, he’s not of the same ilk in terms of lifting the players like benny did. When benny was playing the other player believed we could win.

  15. Richie – you’re right there. I’ve seen Perch put in some fantastic tackles against seriously good wingers. Don’t let’s write the poor lad off yet.

  16. I still think Ranger, for all his naivity, could provide that Benny-type spark, DJG. He won’t start, though – and I can see why. CH has to start safe and use his subs to adapt as things unfold. It’s the only way these days, unless you can just bung £200m worth of players on at the start like Citeh.

  17. I wonder if Taylor will be less keen to use his arms now he knows how easily they come off? ;)

  18. DJG says:
    October 22, 2010 at 1:22 pm

    “When benny was playing the other player believed we could win.”

    You mean like they believed against Blackpool and Stoke……?

  19. toonsy, you just said we played better against Blackpool.

    toonsy says:
    October 21, 2010 at 4:20 pm

    ‘DJG – I disagree about us being appaling against Blackpool to be fair. The amount of chances/posts hit/shots of the line we had in that game suggested otherwise…..’

    Yes we were cack, but at least they believed and hit the post a few times.

  20. DJG – What was that you said about Worky? Hypocrite?

    OK then. What was the excuse against Stoke? How about Villa? We didn’t even have him then.

  21. I’ll be ferreting around in the archives now. If people are gan to pick upon old things they need to be aware I have thousands of pages of it :twisted:

  22. toonsy says:
    October 22, 2010 at 1:34 pm
    DJG – What was that you said about Worky? Hypocrite?

    :lol:

    See ya diven’t like it when I play those cards. but it’s fine to do it to me.

    The excuse against Stoke was than we switched of in the second half, im being very lazy but was that not the game where benny basted a few free kicks high and wide and got subbed in the second half, see he had an off day and so did the rest of them in the second half.

  23. I think we did a lot better against blackpool than the score suggested. Could easily have gone the other way. We’re due some luck, that’s for sure.

  24. Toonsy – as the other person stuck at a wedding during tomorrow’s match, do you have any genius ideas on how to sneak out to the hotel bar and watch it?

  25. Whumpie – I’ll be returning home at approximately 17:20 to “let the dog out” ;)

    DJG – It wasn’t me who who was getting all huffy yesterday when Worky did it to you ;) That my friend is the hypocrisy of it ;)

  26. Why don’t you’s suggest that they have the reception at Upton Parks corperate suite, although it might be a bit late for that. :)

  27. I don’t get the negativity personally, we’ve played really well away from home this season, our players seem to suit the 4-5-1 formation and tactics.

    I agree 100% with what toonsy think the team will be, I think this is our strongest team actually, especially away from home.

    I’m not going to predict a score as simply, the scores this season have been crazy and i’ve been well out with them, however, I think we’ll put in a decent performance and if you do that, anything could happen.

  28. ILM – I also hate predicting scores, but people froth about me not predicting so they can rip the piss when I get it wrong…

  29. oh can I just add my pennies worth, the blackpool game, we actually weren’t THAT bad, the midfield was pretty much a non-existent entity, but apart from that we had our chances, should have been a couple up before half time!!

  30. We need to sell Smith come Jan, it’s pointless sticking him on the bench every game, we all know that he aint going to get any playing time unless we get injuries to both barton and tiote in a game
    He needs to be playing and whilst I dont really rate him he can def do a job somewhere else and we can save on his wages (and poss get a few bob back on him)
    at least that’ll open up a spot on the bench for one of the young uns (tho doubt CH will use em)
    Tough decisoins are what CH is paid to make so why doesn’t he start making em

  31. ch has got to stop doing this crap..putting ranger on with 2 minutes to go..with nolan fit and going to play..then ranger might not make the bench..if he doesnt lets say i wont be 2 happy with him..until they tell me the team news tomaz..then i will keep my mouth shut..we need change and ranger needs to be put in ..to give him the chance..he to me is the only natural goal scorer in the team..even if he misses..he is getting on the end of things..which the others have not got i eye for..

  32. Asim – see what you’re saying, but ILM has a point too. It’s no coincidence that our away form has been pretty good. CH puts out a tight, battling team and generally it works.

    Not so good at home, eh…

    Although I’d like to see Ranger and Shola play, what you need at somewhere like Upton Park – at least at the start – is experience and a cool head. Nolan has them, Ranger doesn’t. So while I may do differently, that’s probably why CH is manager and I’m not. :)

  33. asim – “to me is the only natural goal scorer in the team.”
    errr I think the idea of being a natural goalscorer is that you score rather than miss,

    Carrolls been on the end of a load of chances in last few games but has been to slow to take advantage or just fluffed it completely.

    saying that Torres has been worse than shite this season and he’s someone I would have classed as a natural goalscorer

  34. I agree it is becoming very difficult to predict newcastle scores this season because it simply depends which team turns up. If someone put a gun to my head and said predict I would say 2-1 or 3-1 to West Ham but of course if I am wrong and we get a decent result I will gladly come on here and let you’s shove it in my face.

  35. Whumpie

    I can’t believe Hoots still seems in favour of Carroll, to me a fully fit Ameobi scoring goals at Chelsea and rescued us against Wigan. He has to play until he breaks down again. Also what sort of message does it put out to Shola when he’s fit, scoring and behaving himself off the field.

  36. I just can’t see who will score mate and we look poor atm. Plus the refs have given us nowt this season.

  37. over the moon with TOONSY saying 2-0 that means we have a chance.

    poor sod cannot win nowt which ever way it goes “oot comes the big stick”

    good isnt it :)

  38. That is true dgj , if u take out the villa game we havent been exactly blasting them away, think we can and will win sat!

  39. natural goal scorer misses chances ever1 do..but i am saying he his more natural then the others on getting on the end of chances..if u see that in the games he has played he as come from the right hand side..and willing to get on the end of chances..he has that eye in the games he has played the last 2..he looked are best forward bye far..and he was playing on the right.yes he missed chances but..thats why he makes his own chances which the others dont..

  40. “Whumpie –

    Richie – you’re right there. I’ve seen Perch put in some fantastic tackles against seriously good wingers. Don’t let’s write the poor lad off yet.”

    I actually agree there too. I’d much rather have a better RB than Perch in, but I felt for the lad in earlier games this season. He’s just inconsistent, generally.

    That said, he had a shocker against Wigan and both goals were his fault. Not sure I can fully blame him though, as I get the impression he was busy down the other end doing the right-sided attacking that Guthrie should have been doing, rather than larking around in the middle with Joey and Tiote.

  41. batty west ham dont score goals..cant see them getting more then 1..so we need 2 from somewhere..

  42. asim says:
    October 22, 2010 at 2:21 pm
    batty west ham dont score goals..cant see them getting more then 1..so we need 2 from somewhere..<<<<< well surely there due too score more than 1 then

  43. blip says:
    October 22, 2010 at 2:19 pm

    That said, he had a shocker against Wigan and both goals were his fault. Not sure I can fully blame him though, as I get the impression he was busy down the other end doing the right-sided attacking that Guthrie should have been doing, rather than larking around in the middle with Joey and Tiote.

    Im not sure they were, Williamson was in close attendence and as a CH should hve been looking to win the ball in the air, plus I agree he had no help from Gutrie.

  44. batty- They’ve got more than 1 ex-toon player, so by my reconing they will score more than 1. :)

    3-1 Parker penalty at some point mark my words.

  45. Going for a Hammers win…..Mike is sharpening his Big Axe just in time for xmas slaugheter :lol:

  46. sirjasontoon

    Ashley might bring the ‘Hammer’ down tommorow… :lol:

    …I’ll get my coat…

  47. sirjasontoon says:
    October 22, 2010 at 2:44 pm
    Going for a Hammers win…..Mike is sharpening his Big Axe just in time for xmas slaugheter :lol:

    Aye and then he’ll bring in Kinnear and a bargain bin striker and we’ll still be in trouble :lol:

  48. I’m sure we’ll get the win we’ve been threatening for a couple of games now. I also think Shola will start – either at nolan or carroll’s expense, either of whom CH could justify benching for non-football reasons.

  49. :lol: think it’s time to give up on Bolton richietoon, still might head up there now I’ve bought my train tickets for a piss up and the off chance of getting a ticket.

  50. Also, for the secind goal against Wigan, you could go back further than Perch being out of position and blam Barton for dicking around with the ball and losing it ten yerds outside his own penalty area……

  51. heard nowt yet Ice,I think ya usually hear within a couple of weeks so fingers crossed…although think they have up to 6 months

  52. That’s a point.

    I think the biggest shock for me that game was how out of sorts Tiote looked at times. But then he was still one of our better passers of the ball.

  53. toonsy or we could go even futher back and blame krul because he passed the ball too barton ,hence barton dicking around with it :)

  54. 4’11” is quite tall in my family toonsy, taking the piss out of a midget, can’t believe you’d stoop so low :)

  55. TOONSY,also the first one m8,jose should never had let that cross come,in very poor effort at best,but we could gone on and on couldnt we?

  56. Stuart… averaged about a goal every 3 games since he signed…shocking stats for a midfielder ;-)

    jay jay…I think they’ll get the extra tickets, if not there’ll be loads of space iin the home end.

  57. That true I suppose, but I’m always to pissed to keep my mouth shut, oh well, it’ll be more respectable than getting attacked by Walsall and bromsgrove rovers fans like last week.

  58. Jay Jay – If you do go in the home end at Bolton, be warned, they have taken interbreeding to new levels.

    I remember I walked into ASDA behind the ground. It was just opening so everyone was waiting to get in. Out of the crowd ne of the staff picked me and my mate to quiz on what we thought about Kevin Nolan. That chap wasn’t right in the head. About 8ft tall, dribbling and with one eye significantly larger than the other. Strange guy.

  59. stuart79 says:
    October 22, 2010 at 1:14 pm

    “When was Hughton ever at West Ham?”

    As a player after he left ‘Spurs, Stuart. It was around 1990 for a couple of years. Then, he went to Brentford for a year or so, then back to ‘Spurs to embark on his coaching career in 1993.

  60. In true deluded optimist fashion (and probably due to being demob happy an hour before leaving on hols) I’m going to change my prediction:

    WHU 2-3 NUFC.

    Scorers: Dyer, Parker, Shola, Nolan, Carroll

    :)

    Come on – how freaky would that be??

  61. Personally I think we could struggle to score goals this season. Take the ‘freak’ Villa result out and we’re not scoring too many goals and we’ve bossed a few games.

    Could be a problem

  62. worky stu was on aboot this >>>> blip says:
    October 22, 2010 at 1:05 pm
    “Hughton was actually in charge of West Ham the last time the two sides met at Upton Park back in September 2008 where he guided The Hammers to a 3-1 victory in his caretaker capacity.”

    I think not. Hughton couldn’t buy a win at the time and, unfortunately, was ours.s

  63. With toonsy predicting a lost for us,i am confident that we will win against The Hammers.

    4-1 to Newcastle. ;)

    But to be honest,we gotta win at least like 1 game in October right.

    there is still 16more points to collect for 2010.(My own analysis).

  64. “I remember I walked into ASDA behind the ground. It was just opening so everyone was waiting to get in. Out of the crowd ne of the staff picked me and my mate to quiz on what we thought about Kevin Nolan. That chap wasn’t right in the head. About 8ft tall, dribbling and with one eye significantly larger than the other. Strange guy”

    Wasnt Big Fat Sam was it ?

  65. keeping up the utter nonsense theme, I note that “Blackburn are close to a takeover by VH Group, an Indian chicken company”

    Does that mean they’ll change their name to Blackburn Roti, Brinjal Rovers or Blackburn Bhajis ?

    Its alright I’m going.

  66. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/9118690.stm

    Is it just me or does Guthrie sound not like you’d expect.

    Also the bit at 4 mins is interest. ‘He knows I don’t wanna play out there and I bring more to this team in the middle, but im not gonna turn down a start’.

    So why play him there?, ffs. If Hughton drops Barton and plays Guthrie through the middle and Shola with Nolan first 60mins Ranger last 30mins I think we might scrape a draw, if not forget it.

  67. On his day Guthrie is our match winner, so I don’t think he should be classed as understudy to Barton, especially the form Barton is in atm.

  68. This would be my team, I feel a bit dirty touting Simpson for a start after how much ive slagged him but while Saylor and Campbell are out there isnt a lot of choice.

    Perch needs to be taken out of the firing line while its going wrong for his own good as well as the teams.

    ———————-Krul—————————-
    –Simpson—Williamson—Coloccini—-Enrique———
    ———————Tiote—————————-
    —————Guthrie–Barton————————
    —Routledge——————————Gutierrez—
    ———————Carroll————————–

    Subs: Soderberg, Perch, Raylor, Nolan, Ranger, Lovenkrands, Ameobi

    Keep it tight and see if we can pinch one, If its going wrong we have a few strikers and an attacking midfielder to bring on and have a go at getting back into the game.

  69. —————-Krul—————
    S.Taylor–Campbell-Coloccini–Jose
    —————Tiote—————
    LuaLua—–Barton/Guth——-Jonas
    —————–Benny————
    ———–Carroll—————-

    Thats not a bad side if we didn’t have so many injuries.

  70. DJG…..do you think Lua Lua is good enough at this level?…I havnt’t seen that much of him but I think you watch the reserves so ya’ll know more about him than I do