Premier League preview: West Ham v Newcastle
Andy Carroll has had better weeks.
Arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning following allegations that he had assaulted an ex-partner, the Newcastle forward’s hearing was at least adjourned until January, but he has been ordered to live at captain Kevin Nolan’s home as a condition of his bail. Just a day in to house sharing with his skipper, Carroll’s new Range Rover was torched in Nolan’s driveway. Maybe it’s time to get out of the North East for a while.
Luckily, that’s just what he’s doing, as the Magpies head for London to take on a West Ham side propping up the Premier League table.
Unbeaten in five in all competitions since a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea last month, the Hammers – who’ve had their own player, defender Manuel da Costa, arrested on suspicion of assault this week – feel as though they’ve turned a corner ahead of this one. There is more confidence in the ranks than there has been for some time, with some of the newer players finally settling in to their roles.
“I'm settled now and I'm enjoying myself,” said forward Victor Obinna, right on time to prove a point.
“This is the kind of football I really wanted to play and I'm really happy to be here and to play in the English Premier League. I’m now looking to start scoring goals because I believe that is what West Ham wants.
“The football is really fast and that's the kind of football I'm hoping to play. I've been trying to adapt and it hasn't been that difficult for me. I've played a couple of games and I'm enjoying myself.”
Obinna – on loan at the Hammers from Inter Milan – adds to an array of attacking talent that includes Carlton Cole, Benni McCarthy and Frédéric Piquionne, but it is only the latter who has really looked menacing in front of goal this season, scoring in West Ham’s previous three games before last week’s draw with fellow strugglers Wolves.
They may be bottom, but West Ham will overtake Newcastle should they beat them at Upton Park. The Magpies manager, forever the pragmatist, is prepared for setbacks though.
“We've always been aware we will lose more games this season than last and we've spoken to the players about dealing with defeat,” said boss Chris Hughton, a quietly impressive figure ever since taking the Newcastle job permanently a year ago.
“These are the same group of players who have already been through many ups and downs here. It's important they stay strong through the difficult times and so far they've been able to do that.”
Fabricio Coloccini’s 94th-minute equaliser rescued Newcastle from a third straight defeat at home to Wigan last week, but Hughton knows that his side will have to improve upon that showing and those in their previous outings if they are to get a result here.
Nolan missed that clash with Wigan but returns here, fresh from babysitting Carroll, while Danny Simpson could make his first appearance of the season, in place of full back James Perch.
Matthew Upson returns for the Hammers after a neck problem, but Thomas Hitzlsperger, Jack Collison and Zavon Hines are all still out.
Should the West Ham take anything from this game then it will mean that Liverpool kick off their match with Blackburn Rovers on Sunday rock bottom of the table, and Newcastle’s away record suggests that that’s just what the Reds will have to do.
It might not be the win they want, but expect West Ham to prolong their unbeaten run, and give Nolan and Carroll plenty to talk about on the way home.
Prediction: West Ham 2 Newcastle 2
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