We have a vital league game at St. James’ Park today, against West Ham United, which kicks off in a short 4 hours time at 1:30 pm local time.
The game is televised live in England on Sky Sports 1 and over here in the USA on Setanta Sports and there are 5 games in the Premiership taking place today.
One question Newcastle fans may be asking is which Newcastle team will turn up today, after Monday night’s extremely poor performance.
Sam Allardyce – will have the team ready to go today – from the first whistle
Last Monday’s game was a big let down for Newcastle fans, because it looked like the team just couldn’t get going, for whatever reason. It wasn’t a lack of effort, it was just one of those nights where they looked lethargic and from the first kick, Derby were always first to the ball.
We can cure that today. Right from the kick off we must be first to the ball and win all 50-50 balls. That’s what Big Sam will be telling the lads before they come out today and that will help us get a grip of the game. We should be able to tell after the first 10 minutes what kind of game this is going to be for the lads.
Even though Monday night was depressing, a win today will go a long way to lift the depression and see us move up the league handily. We’ll then look in good shape after our first 6 games in the league with 11 points and a good goal difference of at least 3 – better than most.
With Sam Allardyce a very good and experienced manager, we don’t expect lethargy to be allowed to creep into two successive games. So while last Monday’s performance may creep in now and again this season – we expect the vast majority of our games will see Newcastle fully awake and ready to take all 3 points.
Today will be a good test of that – 3 points and things will look a little more rosy in the garden. We still think we can win at least 2-1, but a clean sheet would also be very nice. Not long to go before we know how this one pans out. We’ll have a report on the team before KO, a half time report and then a full report immeidately after the game with comments from Sam and the players.
Come on the lads!
7 comments so far
Lamesley Mag
Sep 23, 2007 at 9:50 AM
Comment #1WHU are a decent side so it won’t be an easy game.
Man for man we are better, but same can be said about Monday’s game, so we need to win every 50-50 ball and put our chances away when they come along.
Looking forward to Enrique’s return as it will allow Zog to play further up field where he’s needed. However, we may have to wait a little longer to see him play again!
We must win today, so let’s get behind the boys and cheer them on as 3 points is priority.
t-g-w
Sep 23, 2007 at 9:52 AM
Comment #2A bit off topic, but has anyone seen the rumour today that we want Heskey? Now take a look at this: http://www.wigan.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=83595
£15million? I don’t think so…
Dalston
Sep 23, 2007 at 9:56 AM
Comment #3£15million? they better keep it…but we need someone who knows how to head the ball down. viduka looks clumsy with his head, Ameobi is aweful as well…
Graeme
Sep 23, 2007 at 10:06 AM
Comment #4£15 million for Heskey, you are having a laugh. He would be a good swap for Bambi, with a couple of million from us as well. We know he plays well with Owen and can head a ball. I wouldn’t mind seeing him at SJP.
Graeme
Sep 23, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Comment #5If the team that beat Bolton turn up and play as if they have an interest ikn the game, we have a good chance of beating WHU. If the team that played at Derby turn up – we will get a pasting.
Alex
Sep 23, 2007 at 10:15 AM
Comment #6I expect us to win today, Sam will have worked the team hard after monday nights performance.The effort put in today in front of 50.000 Toon fans will be an improvement on monday nights .With Viduka up front in place of Ameobi we will see more chances created for Owen or Martins .
MightyMilburn
Sep 23, 2007 at 10:53 AM
Comment #7Believe (hope) that we will see a very different Newcastle team on the pitch today than last Monday.. I think that on Monday some (majority) of the players had succumbed to same “newcastle-disease” of the past – believe in their own hype.. They must likely thought that Derby was just going to roll over and play dead..
Yes we have a good side, yes we have a good squad, yes we have a good manager, yes we have good chairman – BUT you still have to put in the graft on the pitch otherwise you will loose on a regular basis..
I am confident BSA will instill some modisty into the players – and it will show on the pitch today..
Reg. the Heskey story – it was inevitable that some journalists (with nothing else to do or write about) would conjour up some story about Heskey and Owen being reunited.. We have Viduka and Ameobi on the books so the chances of us buying Heskey is slim to none (and thank God for that I might add..)
HOWAY THE LADS!!!