NUFC V W'Ham

[kennethlindheim]

Toon fans excited at the prospect of seeing Emre Belozoglu make his home Premiership bow are to be disappointed, as the diminutive Turkish schemer limped out of midweek international action and has already been ruled of Saturday's clash.

Joining Emre in the stands is Titus Bramble with a fractured elbow - which means 19-year-old Steven Taylor will continue his central defensive partnership with Jean-Alain Boumsong.

Alan Shearer ploughed a lonely furrow in Newcastle's opening day defeat to Arsenal and he could be asked to do the same on Saturday if Souness elects to use a five-man midfield - although Emre's absence could mean a recall for James Milner in an advanced role.

Shola Ameobi serves the final game of his three-match suspension, while starlet Michael Chopra is another who misses out through injury.

Brighter news for Souness is that Jermaine Jenas, a subject of much speculation with regards to a St James' Park exit, does not have to endure a three-match suspension after having his red card against Arsenal reduced to the yellow variety.

Squad:Given, Harper, Babayaro, Carr, Taylor, Boumsong, Elliott, Ramage, Parker, Faye, Jenas, Milner, Brittain, Bowyer, Shearer, N'Zogbia.

The hammers made an impressive start to the season. I believe it will be a hard game(all games are).

What's your view for the game?

[hanuma]

looking forward to this.
newcastle will trounce them if they play like they did v arsenal in the first half.

west ham always have the ability to score tho.

[kennethlindheim]

I think this is a massive game for all concerned. We must win be it in style by 3 or 4 or grinding out a 1-0 win.

With Bolton away and Man Utd to follow we simply have to get 3 points on the board.

We could well win at Bolton although i doubt it. Man Utd will murder us.

Failing to beat West Ham and poor results against Bolton and Man Utd could well see us looking for another manager before October.

[Mat]

-------------Given-------------
Carr----Boumsong--Taylor--Baba
Bowyer---JJ--Parker-----N'Zogbia
--------------Milner-----------
-----------Shearer------------

That would be my team.

[hanuma]

0-0.

not a great result but tbh its not that bad.

west ham on a high, you guys down to bare bones.

fine you are stronger than them but lets not forget most of your team is still in an embryonic state.

[Mat]

they were down to 10 men as well though. Can't really comment wasn't at the match, didn't renew my season ticket this year. (off to uni in spetember and couldnt afford it, not because im fickle)

[FunkFreaker]

O:O That is very bad result for Home game against team as West Ham. What shall we do when in Newcastle come Manchester, Chelsea ....?

[kennethlindheim]

We drew 0-0 against a team that finished 6th in the Championship against 10 men for 35 minutes.
Shambles!!!

[hanuma]

thats ludicrous.....im sorry but there are so many factors here that you have overlooked.

1. they are no longer the "side that finished 6th in the championship."
2. they would have been so pumped for this match after the high of winning their first game.
3. your side is still relatively young, new and untested.
4. 10 men is far harder to break down than it is with 11 especially when your side has an over the hill striker and no pace up front as a result of injuries.

there are many more but the above points will suffice.

[Mat]

My mates who were at the match said we were awful today, and west ham didnt look anything more than a relegation battle team, we played with little spirit and west ham didnt play particularly hard becuse they didnt need to. I never buy the 10 man harder to break down arguement either, its a typical souness excuse, and it does only apply if you dont win, the same arguement cant be used if you beat the team, like arsenal did last week.

I dont want to base my league predictions on a match i havent seen, but my friends who think similar all have the opinion that there was nothing there today to give us hope of any more than a mid table finish at absolute best.

[hanuma]

judging a season on the basis of one match is silly.

[Mat]

Its not just the one match, its all of last season that is the problem. Its like people basing our season on the one arsenal match!!!

[kennethlindheim]

Alright Hanuma,I will try and find positives from the game.

I thought Carr had a decent game considering he had no real right-wing partner.He got forward well,used his body strength and pace to good effect and a few decent crosses were sent in too.

Taylor and Boumsong get better as a partnership with every game,when one messes out,the other covers and that's how it should be.

Babayaro did well at times though you feel he has a lot more to offer and seems to be playing within himself.Defensively however he had a canny game,a goal-line clearance of somesorts,a few last ditch tackles and all-round decent work-out from that perspective.

Jenas got forward much more than he usually does, no doubt Parker's presence has given him more licence to do so.

Parker, once again an accomplished display. What I like about him is he never looks back, always looks to play it forward and his blocks were once again spot on - he'll be a great signing for Newcastle.

N'Zogbia had a mixed game but I like his temperament and he could develop into a good player in time. Direct, lots of energy, unfased attitude, quick and tricky.

Those were the positives as I saw it.

As a unit in defence and midfield we look defensively strong which will see us concede fewer goals than last season. It's up front and in the final 3rd where we are hitting a brick wall. It goes without saying but we need some forwards and a change of plan attacking wise. 4-5-1 at home should never be deployed, even with just Shearer as our only fit striker.

[ToonArmyUSA]

We just need somebody who can put the ball in the net. I think the rest of the team is shaping up and we'll be okay, but Shearer can't carry the load by himself.

[hanuma]

chelsea have been a tad similar.....the whole team is superb up to the top where our wingers arent in form and our midfielders arent pushing up to support the striker.