Newcastle Chronicle's chief sports writer Lee Ryder lifts the lid on Sunday's opponents
Newcastle Chronicles’s chief sports writer Lee Ryder gives us the lowdown on Sunday’s opponents Newcastle United
"West Ham is always a tough game. Sam Allardyce will want to go out on a high and he used to manager up here. Contemplating what could go wrong does make you feel a little bit nervous.”
"Alan Pardew had long enough to build his own team, yes they were ninth in the table but it was a very tight table. It was a bad start to the season, a bad end to last season and I think he realised the games was up.”
“West Ham fans know exactly what it’s like to be relegated. It’s certainly not easy, it’s a painful experience. West Ham had to go via the play offs last time. So there are no guarantees, the Championship is an unforgiving place. With the money around nowadays it’s always going to be difficult."
I imagine it’s a nervy time for Newcastle fans at the moment, what’s the mood on Tyneside?
“Very nervous at the moment. Newcastle can’t buy a win at the moment, they haven’t won for three months. With that in mind, a lot of fans will be keeping an eye on the KC Stadium. They’ll be praying for a Man United win which is quite ironic seeing at they used to be rivals. But that’s how it’s panned out."West Ham is always a tough game. Sam Allardyce will want to go out on a high and he used to manager up here. Contemplating what could go wrong does make you feel a little bit nervous.”
Despite the results, who has been in good form recently?
“It’s slim picking to be honest with you. Ayoze Perez has got a couple of goals in the last few games. Jack Colback in midfield has been great all season despite Newcastle’s struggles. After that, you really are scrapping the barrel. It’s up to someone to step up and perform. Will they wake up? We have to wait and see.”Where has it gone wrong for Newcastle. Was Alan Pardew leaving the turning point or where the problems before that?
“There were problems before that. Pardew has done great since he joined Crystal Palace and that has made Newcastle’s decline look worse. But if he had stayed at Newcastle I think there would have been similar problems."Alan Pardew had long enough to build his own team, yes they were ninth in the table but it was a very tight table. It was a bad start to the season, a bad end to last season and I think he realised the games was up.”
What would relegation mean for Newcastle?
“If you look at teams like Wigan, Leeds and Blackpool, there’s no guarantee that you’re going to bounce back. Unless a huge investor comes in, I don’t see Mike Ashley leaving the club any time soon. I’m sure they have plans for next season, potentially a new head coach and new players coming in. I’m expecting quite a shake up. There’s plenty to do and I think the board know that.“West Ham fans know exactly what it’s like to be relegated. It’s certainly not easy, it’s a painful experience. West Ham had to go via the play offs last time. So there are no guarantees, the Championship is an unforgiving place. With the money around nowadays it’s always going to be difficult."
West Ham won the reverse fixture 1-0 earlier in the season, what do you remember about that game?
“It was a disappointing day for Newcastle. They didn’t create much. Moussa Sissoko was sent off for two silly yellow cards. They just weren’t at it. In contrast, West Ham were on a good run and they deserved to win. It’s not a game I look back on with much fondness, let’s put it that way.”West Ham arguably don’t have too much to play for, does that make them an ideal team to play?
“On paper that’s probably how it looks. Newcastle have lost to top teams, middling teams and bottom teams. They’ve lost them all and they cannot buy a win. If West Ham do turn up with their flip flops on then all the better because they need all the help they can get. West Ham can still finish in the top ten which isn’t a bad achievement and I’m sure that’s what they’ll be focused on.”Andy Carroll is injured but Sam Allardyce and Kevin Nolan are set to feature on Sunday, what kind of reception can they expect?
"Sam Allardyce always gets a few boos up here, the fans didn’t take to his style of football. Kevin Nolan is a little bit different. He was part of the promotion winning team, he’s a massive legend for a lot of fans because of that. He scored a lot of goals and helped to stabilize the club and the fans won’t forget his contribution to the club."He showed he cared for the Black and White cause. By the same token, he’s a West Ham player and I don’t think he would give anything less than 100%. He’s always liable to pop up and get the odd goal or two."