Newcastle entertain West Ham at St James’ this sunday lunchtime, in a game which pits us against a side who much like ourselves are hoping to improve on a disappointing show last season. We caught up with a few members of West Ham site, Hammers Mad to get their views on the game, their team and us.

1. Obviously the ‘Tevez affair’ kept West Ham in the news for most of the summer. Was it something you felt was hanging over you, and were you ever concerned that the authorities might have decided to relegate you?

only1salty: Yes it was hanging over us but relegation never really entered into most fans’ heads. There was a massive negative PR campaign by Sheffield United that seemed to gloss over many of the facts or even get them completely wrong and this was backed by a majority of the media. It was purely a case of money for Sheffield and a juicy story in the close season for the papers. All gone a bit quiet now hasn’t it!

clemmo: No.

terrya1965: I knew they wouldn’t relegate us, but it was still a nuisance having it hanging over our heads!

mrmooninthebuilding: I think after the fine was issued that was always going to be the end of it. It was horrible being on the back pages for all of that when our incredible end of season was slightly overlooked.

2. Now that those events are all over and done with, what is the mood like at Upton Park, and what expectations do you have for the season?

only1salty: The mood is very good at Upton Park and expectations are generally high. All our Summer signings are currently injured and yet we have started much more brightly than last season. Some fans expect us to be in Europe while others are happy for a stable season.

clemmo: Mid table, decent cup run, building for the future.

terrya1965: There is a definate hunger at Upton Park this season. At first I would have been happy with a mid-table finish and a decent cup run, but with the squad we have, I think a European place is not out of the question.

mrmooninthebuilding: The mood at Upton Park is one that I haven’t felt or experienced in a long time. There is a genuine feeling of optimism and people are beginning to dream. We are no longer a club that has to sell and we certainly have the right people in place upstairs who seem to share the fans’ visions. For this season, I honestly believe that if we continue to pick up the odd win away and few draws whilst also turning Upton park into the fortress we all know it can be, there is no reason we can’t get into the UEFA cup but I’d settle for mid table.

3. You’ve signed a few of our ex-players this summer, how are they settling in, and which one of them are you the most pleased or impressed by?

only1salty: Well they are all injured and so the only one who we could comment on is Bellamy. He is one of those players you hate if he is playing for someone else but in your shirt he works his socks off and causes untold problems for the opposition.

clemmo: Bellamy, Dyer didn’t look to bothered but gutted his out now. Nobby a good squad addition nothing more. Parker could be very good with Noble so here’s hoping.

terrya1965: Bellamy has been fantastic. I bet you wish you still had him. He’s top draw. I haven`t really seen the others.

mrmooninthebuilding: What happened to Dyer was very unfortunate because I think it was a decent bit of business and he was looking a threat in the two games he played. Bellamy is a player I’ve always admired, one of those that you hate but you’d love him to play for you! Solano gives us a bit of experience and true class and I reckon will become a real fans favourite.

4. What are your opinions on the changes that we’ve seen at Newcastle over the summer?

only1salty: It seems like your new owner doesn’t really know what he’s let himslef in for. I did read he has a history of impulse investments, looks like one of those to me. I think the cash trick with Dyer was not particularly honorable and didn’t show your club in the best of lights. However Allardyce will at least get your team organised which seems to have been missing for a good few years. If he is given resources who knows, but can he change his Bolton style?

clemmo: Big Sam, Big mistake. Sorry, you asked.

terrya1965: Sam’s a decent manager. He will turn Newcastle in to a real force, no doubt. You only have to look what he did at Bolton and just look at them today.

mrmooninthebuilding: I think the new regime at Newcastle is very positive. Allardyce is a good manager, he showed that at Bolton, whilst not providing hugely entertaining football he got results and thats often been your problem in the past. The new board look like they mean business too and can only be positive.

5. How would you rate your performances so far this season?

only1salty: 1st game against Man City I think Sven tactically outwitted Curbs. Since then we have been very good. Away from home esecially with the pace in the team. Should have put 6 past Reading missing a host of chances although the 3-0 against Boro flattered us a little.

clemmo: Surprising. I expected curbs to be very defensive, but we seem to be playing very well on the break.

terrya1965: First game, s***, but now we’re on our way. I’m seeing West Ham play their best football away from home for many a year!

mrmooninthebuilding: Our two away wins have both been absolutely superb especially to outclass Reading considering what happened there last season (they lost 6-0). At Birmingham we dug in to get a result out of a game that perhaps in the past we would have lost. Our three home performances have been very mixed, but our result against boro shows that we can grind out results without playing incredibly well which is always a positive quality to have in a team.

6. What do you consider to be the strengths and weaknesses of the West Ham team?

only1salty: Robert Green is awesome. Worth 10 points a season. How the England manager has overlooked him is a mystery. We are a solid yet pacey team. Our weakness appears to be a lack of creativity, that little something special when it’s really tight, after the loss of Tevez and Benayoun in the summer.

clemmo: Our Strength is pace. Weaknesses, left back, centre midfield until Parker is fit, centre half if we persist with Anton.

terrya1965: We are quite strong in all departments now, where as last year we’d get a few injuries and we’d be in trouble.
We’ve had major players out this season, Parker, Faubert, Dyer, Ljungberg plus others missing the odd match and we’ve coped well.

mrmooninthebuilding: Our weakness is our pace at the back, any long ball over the top seems to kill us at the moment. Our strengths are up front with Bellamy and Ashton linking up the way they have so far and our midfield is very hard to break down with Noble and Mullins in there.

7. Who are your tips for the title, and for relegation?

only1salty: Liverpool for the title. A squad like that should win the league and then we won’t hear the end of it for another 10 years like the Champions League Final. Relegation - Derby, Reading and Wigan. Derby not good enough, Reading have a thin squad and second season syndrome and Wigan seem to have one weapon - Heskey.

clemmo: Chelsea, especially after this week. Down, Derby(rubbish) Birmingham (hate wonky nose) Wigan/Reading or Sunderland.

terrya1965: I think the title will be beetween Liverpool and Arsenal. Going down,Bolton, Derby and Birmingham or Middlesbrough.

mrmooninthebuilding: I’d like the Scousers to win it but i’d have to say Man United may just be slightly too consistent when they get into their stride. Chelsea will do well to finish 3rd. Derby, Wigan and one of either Reading or Sunderland to go down for me.

8. And where do you think West Ham and Newcastle will end up?

only1salty: Both mid table obscurity this season. We are aiming to stabilise and I think you rely on goals from Martins and Owen a little too much. If they stay fit who knows.

clemmo: West Ham 11th, Newcastle 8th

terrya1965: Both top 10, possible Euro places.

mrmooninthebuilding: Newcastle 6th, just behind the scum from down the road and West Ham 9th.

9. Looking ahead to Sunday, is Newcastle away a fixture you look forward
to, and what are your impressions of the place?

only1salty: Not something I relish. It’s miles away and very difficult to get a result. The stadium is awesome if a little lop-sided and the away fans are stuck in the clouds. Good night out though.

clemmo: No it’s miles, it’s cold and your seat is above the clouds.

terrya1965: Lovely ground, good atmosphere, decent people.

mrmooninthebuilding: To be honest its one of the first ones I look for. Always try and come up for a weekend too because it’s one of the best nights out going. Genuinely the only nice northern city. The view is spectacular once you get there aswell!

10. Which of your players should we be wary of?

only1salty: Bellamy, but you’ll know all about him. In fact we have half your old side. Mark Noble is the diamond in the middle.

clemmo: Etherington seems to have hit a bit of form, other than that Green, but he’s not exactly going to threaten you going forward.

terrya1965: Bellamy, Ashton, Etherington, Noble and Karama from the bench.

mrmooninthebuilding: Ashton and Bowyer seems to be hitting a bit of form too. (asuming bellamy doesnt play)

11. And which Newcastle players do you think will pose a danger to West Ham?

only 1 salty: Martins or Owen depending on which plays. Pacey attackers have always scared me as a West Ham fan since Rio Ferdinand departed.

clemmo: The tallest one.

terrya1965: Milner, Martins, Owen and Taylor from set pieces.

mrmooninthebuilding: Owen, Martins, Viduka depends on who plays.

12. Finally, give us your prediction for the game

only1salty: No. I have done that on our online prediction game and I am not giving you the satisfaction of putting it somewhere else.

clemmo: Your win.

terrya1965: 3-1 to West Ham to make it 9 wins from 10 away games. That is what you are up against this Sunday. ENJOY!

mrmooninthebuilding: I’d have to say another 2-2 draw.

Our thanks to you all for taking the time to answer the questions.