Match Preview: Newcastle United Vs West Ham United
Match Info
| Kick-Off:
Saturday August 20th 3.00pm BST |
| Venue:
St. James' Park |
| Referee:
Dermot Gallagher |
Match Preview By Ally
Campbell (19 August 2005)
Newcastle's first home game of the 2005-2006 season brings West Ham
United to St. James' Park, in what is, in my eyes a vital game for
the future of Graeme Souness. The lack of any attacking signings either
on the wing or up front raises questions, but the fact that we lost
last week and we have Bolton as our following game means that if we
lose this one it will probably be 0/9 points.
Injuries/suspensions
We survived last weeks defeat without any injuries or suspensions
(eventually!) which was good news, especially in the wake of JJ's
red card. However in typical NUFC fashion, things are never as good
as it first seems.
International matches on Wednesday prompted the usual 'mickey mouse'
talk from the gaffer, and it seems he may have a point this time with
Emre picking up an injury which rules him out of the Hammers match.
There is confusion over the extent or type of injury and how long
he will be out for and there is no denying that this is a further
blow for Souness. Emre looked good again on Sunday and if he keeps
it up he'll be a cracking player.
Adding to our woes Dyer has also been ruled out of Saturday's match
with Bramble and Chopra still injured, while Ameobi serves the final
game of his suspension.
Last match
The scoreline itself wasn't the end of the world as very few expected
us to get anything out of the game, but the performance was very commendable.
Souness used a 4-5-1 system with Dyer and Bowyer on the flanks, playing
more of a flat midfield five than a 3-2-1. The tactics were to get
tight to Arsenal and it worked brilliantly. Even with Jenas' dismissal
the team stood firm. Parker in particular was absolutely outstanding,
and I'm confident he'll reproduce this not just on Saturday but every
week too.
Boumsong and Taylor also stood firm in defence and gave me belief
that they have it in them to be an excellent partnership.
How should we approach this game?
Usually with promoted clubs they struggle away from home, but this
is their first away game of the season and I can see them being up
for it. Last week's victory over Blackburn was impressive and they
scored some good goals so they certainly don't look like being 'whipping
boys'.
The system picks itself once again, but I fully expect Souness to
play 4-3-3 rather than 4-5-1. N'Zogbia and either Milner or Bowyer
will play on the wings and will need to attack the full backs in order
to provide Shearer with the service. I think we'll score a couple
in this game, although if West Ham keep up the habit of teams putting
10 men behind the ball at SJP it might be a while coming!
The first choice midfield 3 of Emre, Parker and Jenas won't feature
as a trio in this game due to the Turkish man's injury, and whilst
personally I'd play Viana on the left, it will probably be either
Faye or Bowyer that fills in. It wouldn't surprise me if Faye played
but that would be extremely negative, Bowyer will make attacking runs
and will be much more of a threat. Parker will play the holding role
once again but I think he'll venture forward a bit more than he did
in the Deportivo and Arsenal games, no disrespect to West Ham intended
but they are a different class of opposition.
Key Players
I think Bowyer if he plays will play a big part in this game. Without
Emre in the team he's our main threat from midfield and if we are
to break down a resolute and stubborn defence, his runs could make
the difference. He's got a lot to prove this season and he needs to
make an impact, not just run around and work hard.
For West Ham I've gone for Danny Gabbidon as their main man. He's
always looked a good player to me and I'm surprised it has taken him
so long to make the step up into the Premier League. If he plays well
it will spread confidence throughout the team, but if he is a bit
shaky the floodgates might (we hope!) open.
Verdict
This is one of the games that fans look at and think '3 points', but
I don't think it will be as straightforward as that. They look a decent
team and whilst I think we'll win, it won't be easy. I'm going for
a 2-0 win for the Toon, but the first goal won't come for a while.
Howay the lads!
Likely Lineup
Referee: Dermot Gallagher
Gallagher's last game in charge of United saw the Oxfordshire man
officiate a 3-0 win against Blackburn Rovers at St. James' Park back
in September 2004. The first match following Sir Bobby's sacking.
By then Souness had been appointed although the Scot wasn't in the
dugout against his former charges. United under the guidance of John
Carver ran out comfortable winners, dominating the game but it could
have been more had Gallagher awarded two blatant penalty decisions
our way. |
