Newcastle have lost their last three league games and their last four games in all competitions, so at the very least we are hoping that streak will end at Upton Park today, against 4th bottom West Ham United, who are struggling against relegation, and hopefully we can even get the win.
It’s not that Newcastle have played badly in all the last four games, and against Arsenal and Manchester City we were unlucky not to get something out of each of those games, and last week our lads were simply terrific against City – but we just didn’t get the breaks.
The only unacceptable performance was the home game in the FA Cup against Cardiff City, which was one of our worst performances at home this season.
West Ham broke an eight game streak without a win last weekend when they beat Cardiff City 2-0 in south Wales, against another side fighting relegation, so they will likely be upbeat for this game at home today.
With being out of the FA Cup at the first attempt, Newcastle now have only 17 league games to play and after today’s game we have next weekend off, which is why the squad is reported to be off to Abu Dhabi for few days of warm weather training and some bonding before our next game in 10 days at Norwich City.
Fab Coloccini is still out with his knee injury and Mathieu Debuchy serves the final game of his three match ban for getting himself sent off against West Brom, and after the great performance last weekend against City we don’t think Alan Pardew will make any changes from the side that did so well, even though we lost that game.
So here’s the likely starting team today in a 4-3-3 formation:
Krul
Yanga-Mbiwa Williamson Taylor (S) Santon
Tiote (c) Cabaye Anita
Sissoko Remy Gouffran
Subs: Elliot Haidara Gosling Ben Arfa Marveaux Ameobi (Sh) Cisse
That’s a good side, and if we can play somewhere near our best today, there’s no reason why we cannot get back on the winning track, and that will be important if we are finish in the top eight or even the top six this season.
And as many as 60% of fans think we will win this game today.
And in the crazy world of Newcastle that’s a little worrying to us, simply because the lads seem to do well when not expected to – and vice versa.
But if we are to replicate our 5th finish of two years ago, these are the games we should be winning, and hopefully the lads can bring home the bacon today, and have a welcome win before their mid winter break.
That’s just exactly what we are hoping for today.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and +1 on us on Google+
9 comments so far
rivettCatcher
Jan 18, 2014 at 8:39 AM
Comment #1SPARE TICKET FOR WEST HAM GAME?
Am near west ham today. If anyone has a spare ticket can you post on here & I’ll collect at the game.
jazzyp
Jan 18, 2014 at 8:41 AM
Comment #2Im going 1-2 to the toon today,Can see it being a tight shady affair.1-3 against the canaries and 3-0 to stuff the macks
Anita the Legend
Jan 18, 2014 at 8:43 AM
Comment #3RivettCatcher
If someone has Two the let me know and I’ll join you mate if you don’t mind! I live at Mile End so it’s pretty easy for me to get there.
catchy in norway
Jan 18, 2014 at 8:50 AM
Comment #4I bet the kids at this struggling club are shit, now we ARE going to get relegated
he is going to send us all out in loan
Ian Toon
Jan 18, 2014 at 9:00 AM
Comment #5rivettCatcher- I personally don’t have a spare ticket but the toon army fans will be in the Duke of Edinburgh ( Green Street) a few minutes down the road from Upton Park underground station. After 12 noon the pub will be buzzing.
At the ground were in the Trevor Brooking lower stand and fans from time to time have travelled with a spare ticket. Good Luck.
anthc
Jan 18, 2014 at 10:18 AM
Comment #6I’ve a bad feeling we’ll get turned over today. Just hope the lads turn up with the same fire in their bellies as they did against man city. Heres hoping a 2-1 win for the toon.
JP...from The Rock
Jan 18, 2014 at 11:34 AM
Comment #7I would be happy with that team but would swap Ben Arfa for Sissoko and perhaps Haidara for Santon.
SpaceGhost
Jan 18, 2014 at 1:08 PM
Comment #8Saylor vs Carroll? Broken jaws ahoy 🙂
gazzaforever
Jan 18, 2014 at 1:40 PM
Comment #9Ben Arfa should start that one, he s losing his confidence, put him behind the strikers and he will do a lot of damage. What a waste, hes. No sub material, he must play