Paul Merson talks about Newcastle United.
NUFC as eleven weeks of the new season are over.
A very intense period in which NUFC plays every midweek, because of the Champions League and Carabao Cup.
Eddie Howe and team are now preparing for their next match.
Kick-off on Sunday at 2 p.m., home to West Ham.
Paul Merson discusses where things stand now for Newcastle United as they prepare for the match at the London Stadium.
Paul Merson talks to Sportskeeda ahead of West Ham vs Newcastle:
“West Ham are a team that are the worst in the league when it comes to playing at home and this weekend they face Newcastle who have only won one game away from home all season!
“I don’t think West Ham have won on home ground since February 27 and that was against struggling Leicester City, who were ultimately relegated.
“The way West Ham are losing games is alarming. Brentford absolutely destroyed them in their last home game.”
“Newcastle have to deal with a lot of games and a hectic schedule, but I don’t see anything other than a win for them here.
“Prediction: West Ham 1 Newcastle 3”
My thoughts
I generally agree with most of what Paul Merson has to say.
West Ham are certainly having a nightmare, especially at home. Indeed it has been more than eight months since the Hammers won a home game, this season it has been four home defeats so far, while since February they have played nine games at the London Stadium with six defeats and three draws, no wins.
This season, West Ham have conceded 12 goals and scored just two in their four home games in the Premier League. The last was when they went down 2-0 to Brentford. Frankly, it could have been six or seven if the Bees had taken even half their chances.
We all know the problems Eddie Howe faced this season through no fault of his own. The fact that Newcastle have won five of their last six games in all competitions, now with a strong squad, despite all the games coming in quick succession, says it all.
The only defeat was of course against Brighton, when it looked like the whole world would come back to win it, only to be dealt a blow via the break. Statistics can be funny things sometimes and while Paul Merson points out that Newcastle have won just one away game, Eddie Howe’s side have also lost just one away game, and the other four have seen Nick Pope keep a clean sheet.
If Newcastle play on Sunday as they have tended to do of late, and West Ham do the same, this should be a match worth watching and certainly a second away win of the season for NUFC.
#Paul #Merson #judges #Newcastle #United #eleven #weeks #start #season..