Newcastle United v West Ham United Preview | 'You can't justify a point, we MUST win!'

Added: 2026-05-18

[00:00:00]Hello and welcome to Taco Gaming match preview. Newcastle United against West Ham United. Gonzo, may you kick us off with your thoughts on the Jordies, please? Yeah, Dell feel that they've had a disappointing season.

[00:00:13]They're a they're a they're a strange strange club. It has to be said now for them. Um and I've got I've got a level of sympathy for them and I know people probably say don't have sympathy for them. You know, they're rich and rest, but they got they got like loads of money and they're not allowed to spend it basically. So, I' I've I've got a bit of sympathy for that really because I've always hoped that West Ham would get new owners and we'd have lots of money, but I've now come to the realization we won't be able to spend it anyway with the fact that the Saudis are pulling out of the Live Golf Tour that they're pulling out of everything aside from boxing really, it seems. But that's down to one man, Turkey, I'll shake rather than than anything else. I do wonder if the Saudis the Saudi investment fund have invested and we can't do this. We we actually at Newcastle we can't do what the Qataris have done with PSG because what they did and I said I said this at the time I did say this at the time I wasn't sure why if that's what they wanted that they didn't go and buy Manchester United or or something like that if that's what they wanted to do.

[00:01:09]So I think they bought Newcastle. I think they probably seen that they because of these ridiculous financial restrictions that they can't take them any further.

[00:01:17]They just can't find a way to find necessary loopholes. Um, so yeah, I I don't particularly think it's it's great for football to be honest with you. I like a turnaround. Um, I like to see different teams winning things and different teams going up there. I think in that sense, I don't know. I guess I thought it was Newcastle's chance. They won a trophy last year. I thought it was their chance to do a Leicester. And I just I know there's something symbolic about Newcastle having their having their legs cut out from under them at the same point that Leicester are tumbling down. And I know I know there's there's nuances to that, but yeah, I don't know why. I just feel particularly last few days that the the big clubs, the big entities have really ring fenced theelves with the PSR, the V the V's going for them and all rest of it. I'm feeling a little bit um a little bit agrieved actually really. So yeah, I got I got to say, yeah, Newcastle um I don't know what they're going to do anyhow there. Um they it fa I I I got a feeling it sort of failed really. I think the likes of Tonielli and it looks like he might be off and I think they're just now going to lose players. They lost ESAC. I think it's almost like they tried to fight the good fight and take it to the likes of the big clubs and they can't. There was there was nothing that Saudi money was not good enough.

[00:02:37]You we're going to take ESC. Someone else will take and yeah I don't know. I What are they going to do? What what and I would say it's not just Newcastle. I'm going to say what is the point of Newcastle now? I can say that about a lot of clubs if you I don't I just don't understand it. I just think football's very I don't like football very much at the moment for that reason. Crap.

[00:02:56]Crap. This season Newcastle um they've been terrible by their standards. At the start of the season they've been thinking maybe we could try and win another trophy. It would be nice if we could but get European football hopefully Champions League worst case Europa League and a couple a couple of years because of Villa and Newcastle felt one would finish in the Champions League, the other one would be out of it. The following season they'd almost switch back because one was focusing on playing in the Champions League and they drop off in the league a little bit and this season Newcastle were well Villa doing their bit. They're playing Europa League getting into the Champions League >> and Newcastle were in the Champions League and uh well they were at one point they were closer to the Championship than Champions League football again. They've been terrible this season. I've watched a lot of them.

[00:03:39]It's the football's not been good. Um I feel like Eddie House lost a plot on a couple of occasions. I watched them you know last week I watched the game against not Forest because we were playing them this weekend. Lewis Hall playing right back. Dan Burn at left back a right back sat on the bench and you just thought what what is going on?

[00:03:58]Walter Mada playing midfield, Yolin playing left wing and I was watching it thinking what's he doing like this is like Nuno experimented when he first arrived because he was trying to work things out and it was crazy but you sort of you could make a case as to why he done it.

[00:04:15]But now I'm looking at think what on earth is this guy doing? And it's a shame really because he's won a trophy at Newcastle. He's given them Champions League football and he's been a massive part as to why those standards and expectations are now high at that football club which is you need to deliver European football. He's part of the reason they're expected to be up there. But this season they've been absolutely terrible Gonzo. I think they've had some injuries but I think they've also it's the summer transfer window. It was hard not to look at that and think, "Wow, that was a big failure by Newcastle." And they were handed a difficult start because of the EAC situation rumbling on and on and on. And in the meantime, Newcastle were missing out on their top targets. You know, they wanted him bow and he went off to Man United. Then they wanted Ekit and they posted, "We're having him as well. Thank you very much." So they were missing Cesco. They went after Cesco. No, I'm off to Manu as well. So, I think Newcastle I think Newcastle got a reminder in the summer that who you might be up here.

[00:05:16]>> You're not one of us yet. You know, we're we're going to restrict you spending money, but also when you come and try and come after top players, we're also going to go after you're they've gone from competing with >> Villa and Everton and West Ham for players to competing with likes of Manchester United for players. And I think they've maybe quickly discovered they don't have the same pool as the likes of Manchester United. players were preferring to go to Manu know European football than Newcast with Champions League football and I think that can give you a little bit of a reminder okay there's a bit of work to be done yet before on par with those they would still prefer to go to Old Trafford but even going into the summer transfer window the forgive me if I get the terminology of his job title wrong but the sporting director was announced he was leaving and I don't think he really him and Eddie how had different ideas of how to go around things bad preparation of a for a summer transfer window. A bad summer transfer window. Now, coming out of it, I'll be honest with you, I hold my hands up. I thought their business wasn't that bad in the end. They needed a new goalkeeper. I'm not a fan of Ramdale still, but they got a goalkeeper after missing out on James Traford.

[00:06:20]Needed a right center back. Alec Chow went in and I think he'd he's had he had a good first half of the season. I think they wanted to get a right winger in. Alanga arrived eventually and I thought he did really well. Not Boris. He has that pace. So I could see why he might have worked under Eddie how whistle went in with Walter Mad and I like Walter Madden. I thought whistle was really good for Brenford last season. It felt like they were buying a Premier League proven striker.

[00:06:45]Problem was he wasn't fit until after the African Cup of Nations. That's how long they had to wait for him to be available. But the whole thing's just been terrible. spent 40 million on Ramsay who is a wonderful player but he's just had his injury issues at Villa and he's had them at St. James' Park as well and I just think it's been a bad summer transfer window and I think it's been a crap season for Newcastle actually and it does put the pressure on Eddie how gonzo someone sacks someone to be given another opportunity as a neutral. What do you think Newcastle should do?

[00:07:22]>> I go and get Oliver Glasnner if they can. Um yeah, restart. I love Eddie Hal by the way. I I think he's and he's been brilliant for the club. I really really like him. Um, as a person, I I think sometimes a project runs its course and without repeating what I'd already said before, I I do think that might have happened. So maybe you need somebody who's going to get better than the sum of their parts if they're not going to get these players. And when you were reading out the list there, yeah, I think Walter Marde did really well in in a in a tournament in the the summer of course and he's okay, but did they pay 70 million pound for him or something like that? Was was something >> maybe not quite that much. It was certainly expensive.

[00:08:07]>> Big amount of money. I mean, the whole thing with Ech was interesting as well because it was a it just looked like it was a case of he was going to replace Isack and then Liverpool went and took him as well. I actually think they would have been all right with him there. I think he's a he's a good player. I think he might have offset the departure of Isac far more than Walter Ma had.

[00:08:27]Whistle. Yes. I mean, you know, crazy stuff really when you think what's happened. They have been unlucky with injuries there. Um I just think they need someone with a little bit more identity and and that what you said about the Forest game that smacks of a manager searching and looking for identity and I think if you've got someone in like Glasna that that wouldn't happen. I think he would get in square pegs for square holes. I think he knows what he wants to do and I just think he has more than proven himself and I don't maybe well he's not going to get the Man United job is he that's for that's clear unless he's going to walk into some I think the big jobs are taken aren't they? If you look at the big elite clubs Bayern Munich company won't they Bayern Munich will they?

[00:09:10]>> Chelsea's there >> Chelsea's there. That's true. Yeah.

[00:09:14]Okay. So maybe if that one was there fine but I do think once you've ruled out those super clubs if you want. I think Newcastle would be a really really good fit for Glasnner actually. Um because he's just proven what he can do there. So yeah I I would look at doing something and I know they want to be I I know they want to be loyal to him. I know the Newcastle fans do a lot of them, but I just yeah, from an outsiders point of view, I just wonder if if the time is to re to rebuild again because it looks like some of that that club's going to get stripped out anyway. Some of the signings have been bad. Um, and I do think even with them not being able to spend the billions, but obviously the Saudis want to, that's what they want to do. They want to spend billions. Even with that, I do think Glasgner could do well with whatever they will be able to spend, which I think will be more than he was able to spend at Crystal Palace.

[00:10:04]>> Yeah, it feels a little bit more mo and West Ham how in Newcastle in the sense that he's clearly done well there and he's got a lot of credit in the bank, but it doesn't necessarily mean he's the right man to go forward, but they could also get it wrong as easy as they could get it right. And I just wonder if maybe they need a manager who's got a stronger footballing CV than Eddie House. Someone that's won trophies plural and possibly even like league titles. May not have to be in the final league but won league titles, one European trophies, whoever that might be if they're going to move on from how I think it's got to be worth it. I think it's got to be an elite manager. I don't know who that person would be.

[00:10:43]>> Thomas Tuchel maybe.

[00:10:45]>> I imagine he signed a new contract, didn't he?

[00:10:48]>> Oh, did he? Okay. So he I think he'll be staying with England. But someone someone like that, someone of that standard that's been there, done that and is clearly a step up from Eddie how I think part of the in my opinion part of the troubles for Newcastle this season has been how's loyalty to some of his favorite players like Dan Burn, like Jacob Murphy who they're not good enough for where they want to be anymore. They they they were part of the success story and especially having a local lad like Dan Burn as part of the team. It was a fantastic story, but I think it feels I feel like that book's finished now.

[00:11:22]There's not another chapter anymore. I feel like it's finished. But when you're playing Dan Burn over Lewis Hall at left back and you can't put him center back because it means dropping Botman or Chow and you can't do that to accommodate Dan Burn. You've got to drop down Dan Burn.

[00:11:36]I feel like there's a reluctance from Eddie how to do that. And I think that's his Achilles heel really. He's using the players he's trusted, but I don't think they're good enough anymore. and they've got a big summer coming up because obviously Anthony Gordon's expected to join Bayern Munich now and um you know he didn't play against Forest and >> how was speaking about Tripir but he said basically I played the players that will be here next season and Gordon was sat on the bench so I was like while he was talking about Trip because everyone knows he's leaving he was like well you're also talking about him which would look like it is so there's obviously going to be a big transfer fee arriving for Anthony Gordon which means a bit of wiggle room in the summer for PSR/SCR for Newcastle. Big big summer coming up for them. Right before I ask Gonzo for players he admires, this video is in collaboration with and cocky. Now I'm going to show you visually what incogn is. We do our best to explain, but I've got tactics board loaded up. I'm going to show you. So this is you. You at home. This is you, right? This ball is your data. You go on a website and it says, "Do you want some cookies?" Now if you're like me and cons go yeah we like a cookie and then but in doing that you give your data to the data broker. Now this guy don't just do nothing. He's trying to volley at home and get some money out of you and target you for potential scams as well. He doesn't just do that though.

[00:13:02]He rings up his mates. Data broker number two three. I've got two threes.

[00:13:06]I've got a two and three three. Never mind. There you go. They've all got your data now. They're all passing your data around. Data broker number two, when he's got your data, he's trying to score. He's trying to target you with phone calls and emails, but he doesn't just stop there. He gets in touch with data broker number four and number five and number six and says, "Here, have this guy's data." He he puts them through on goal. That's what he does. He puts data broker number three, number six. He's through on goal. Set him up.

[00:13:33]>> It's not Pablo, is it? Cuz he might miss from there.

[00:13:37]>> That's the obvious um potential scams when you get targeted. They're the ones that you know is fake. Um but incogn are doing their best to say, "Oi, you give us our clients data back. Oh, you dare broker four or five, get out of here.

[00:13:51]Number one, get out of here." Incogn are taking your data back at your request.

[00:13:57]Got an offer for you. Go to incogn.com/hammer.

[00:14:01]Links in description below. You will get 60% off your annual plan. 60% off your annual plan. You get a dashboard. It'll tell you how many sites they're targeting, how many sites your data has been removed from, but also you can request that they target a certain site where you believe your information. Test it. Just go on Google right now. Put in your name plus a bit of information we do not know about you. It could be your phone number, your date of birth, your email address, your house address. Just Google your name plus that bit of information. If that website comes up, they've got that information on their website. Copy and paste a URL into your incogn dashboard. Incogn will get in touch and say, "Excuse me, get our client's data off there." Go to incogn.com.

[00:14:42]Links in description below. Plus, there's a 30day money back guarantee as well if you change your mind. Gonzo, final question on Newcastle United.

[00:14:50]Where's your mayor, please? Well, I like Lewis Hall. Um, but yeah, as you say, he's been kicked out to the other side, so to speak. I don't mean Tottenham. Um, I I like, but I I've not seen Newcastle play recently, to be fair. Actually, I just saw recently actually I did see Jacob Murphy play rather well in a game recently last season.

[00:15:12]>> Must watch must have been watching a rerun.

[00:15:15]>> No, he definitely got involved in something in one of the recent games.

[00:15:18]Anyway, um might have just been highlights or something like that. I do like Gordon. Well, actually, no, tell a lie. I don't like Gordon. I think he's a cheat, but he's an effective footballer. Um and I didn't know that. I didn't know that at all that he was going to Bayern Munich, actually.

[00:15:34]Uh yeah, Ton Alli's a great player.

[00:15:38]Bruno Gimar on his day very good. They got some good players there, but they do have some good players. There's no doubt about it. But yeah, they're not they're just not top echelon anymore. That's that they don't have top players there.

[00:15:54]And I do Yeah, if they're going to lose, I would say that perhaps Tonelli and Gordon are two of their better players as well. So, um, yeah, it's going to be it's going to be tough for them in the summer.

[00:16:05]>> I think I think Bruno's an elite level player. I think you could put him into Manchester City or Arsenal and he would thrive in those teams as well. I think that's how good he is. I think he's absolutely fantastic since he's arrived at Newcastle be very very consistent. Sometimes will dip a little bit. Um but usually it's only for a handful of games and you're quite confident before him will come back and Newcastle are a completely different team when he plays and doesn't play.

[00:16:32]Botman I thought was fantastic last weekend and he's someone's just been really unlucky with injuries. Someone that was held in high regard before Newcastle got him. It was it was on par with when like Man City got Vincent company. He was one of those center backs you knew was good and you've heard a lot about in the game although you hadn't seen much. and um and Botman arrived in Newcast felt like right this is this is a statement signing this is and when he plays and he's on it he's one of the best center backs in the league I think Lewis Hall's been fantastic for them this season I think he's possibly England's best left back it's between him him and O'Reilly but I prefer O'Reilly in midfield so Lewis Hall if I had to pick England starting 11 for the World Cup he would be at that in that position I think Ramsey is a wonderful footballer too but he's just been very unlucky with injuries That's all.

[00:17:20]Anyway, right from their team. Should we discuss our team?

[00:17:23]>> Yes, indeed.

[00:17:23]>> Would you like some team news?

[00:17:25]>> Yes, please. Just one big question mark which is Damacho. He was obviously absent from the game against Arsenal last weekend as he was injured. Um, but for the purpose of this preview, Gonzo, you may select him if you wish. Apart from that, it's it looks like Nuno once again going to have a lot of players to choose from. We've done very well with injuries. West Hammer currently 19th in the injury league table. the league table. You want to be in valation zone in.

[00:17:50]>> Yes. Yes. You don't want to be at the top.

[00:17:52]>> We're in that one. We're down the bottom. We've barely had any injuries so far.

[00:17:56]>> Tottenham still at the top.

[00:17:58]>> Pardon?

[00:17:59]>> A Tottenham still at the top.

[00:18:00]>> They are. They're top. That's the only league they're winning.

[00:18:02]>> That's right.

[00:18:03]>> Yeah.

[00:18:04]>> Right then. Shall we get the tactics board loaded up? I've cleared the data brokers from the pitch.

[00:18:08]>> Thank you.

[00:18:08]>> Incogn's come along. Got rid of them.

[00:18:10]Um, right. The clar team will be Gonza's team. The team in white will be my team.

[00:18:14]This is the team we would like to see start at St. James Park on Sunday. So, with that in mind, Gonzo, would you mind talk me through your goalkeeper of choice and your defense of choice?

[00:18:24]>> Yeah, I'm going to put Hermanson back in goal. Uh, no, um, no massive dramas. Um, in fact, was a shame he didn't get a little bit of the blame for the foul on Rya. He was having a go as well. Anyway, >> he he had a big leap on him, didn't he?

[00:18:38]Got really like high.

[00:18:40]>> Yeah. Yeah. Um, I'm going to play Car Walker Peters at right back.

[00:18:46]So, we'll be going for back four for this game.

[00:18:49]Maveranos dassi and I'm going to play Aaron Wasaka at left back.

[00:19:00]Was there any temptation to want to see the back three continue?

[00:19:05]>> Not really. Um, >> no. I don't know. Not it was I I actually thought we played okay. I thought we just draw against Arsenal, I have to say. Um, I don't think I don't think Toadbo was particularly good. I think he was one of our better players.

[00:19:20]So, um, yeah, I thought quite early in the game, Maverropanos had to wipe his ass very very early in the game. I understand it was difficult cuz you had Cal Fiori going down there and he picks up some really weird positions. Um, but I I would I would go with this. We need to win this game. We absolutely need to win this game. There's no doubt in my mind about that. So, um, yeah, that this this is that's what I'm going for.

[00:19:45]>> Benching JIF.

[00:19:47]>> I am I am benching JIF.

[00:19:49]>> Yeah. Know that we've established that, but I guess I was asking why would we bench?

[00:19:56]>> Very true. Um, I I don't I I just don't I don't think he's excelled enough. I he actually he did do a good cross. He did a good cross against Arsenal. There was no doubt about it. don't think he was as good as Swamack cross funny enough but um he's just not offering enough. It's he is a at the moment for me he's a one trick pony and that that trick is crossing and I think what I think you gain more than you lose by having someone there that's you know a little bit better at all of the other stuff and I think you've got that with so that yeah that's the reason I'm doing it. Yeah, in goal. Um, I was worried about set pieces the last two games, nothing happened. I think he made a really good save last week and his distribution while still gives me a heart attack, it's still not cost centering at the back either. I'm not used to it. I don't think I'll ever be used to watching West Ham play around our sixy box from keeper to center back.

[00:20:52]And on a couple of occasions, he was almost like golden jac going, "Come on, come on then. I'm going to pass my and I one in particular you could read like a book and he to panels." He still did it.

[00:21:03]I thought you're lucky Zakra should have maybe been on that a little bit more. It was very obvious, but he's very comfortable with the ball at his feet.

[00:21:10]Makes a difference. Um, Dasi remains at left center back. Mav Panos remains at right center back. I'm going to leave J at left back. I thought he had a good game against Saka to be honest with you.

[00:21:21]I thought he sucker got a sniff against him and his crosses. I think he's deserved an assist in the last few games. Now one got chocked off against Brenford admittedly, but I do feel like his crosses have been yielding chances. I think we need to I agree what you said. We need to win. So I'm looking to try and squeeze every little bit of creativity out of this team here. How do we almost have supply from the left and the right from the defense and defense? And I think Jof gives us that from that position of the pitch where he gets forward and he whips in those early crosses. And that's why I' I'd have him in there. I'll be honest with you, I'm not that arched about right back. I'm going to put Walker Peters in because I don't think he deserved to be dropped.

[00:22:05]And Juan Mazaka I thought had a good second half against Arsenal. Although I wasn't keen on his first half, but I don't know. I just have like you have trust issues with D. I just have trust issues with Wazaka defensively and I worry that Barnes will start and he he'll he'll give us a bit of a game down that side. So I think I'd go Walker Peters for this one. Um, I have a feeling the rest of our teams are going to match Gonzo, but let's go through the process just in case they do not. And talk me through your midfield, please.

[00:22:34]Uh, I'll play Sek and Fernandez in there. Um, I'll be very surprised if our teams match, I have to say. Um, I will play Bowen on the right, Somerville on the left, and um, let's see what you got.

[00:22:48]Well, the same so far. That's why I think they're going to match Fernandez.

[00:22:54]Bowen and Somerville. It picks itself though. The one thing I will actually say is I was really impressed by Fernandez and Sue against Arsenal.

[00:23:01]>> Yeah, >> because in theory they were outnumbered because as he was in there and I think Artetra helped us a lot by bringing Zubendy on. I thought that killed Arsenal's midfield for a period. Moving Dean Rice to right back was a really stupid move on his part. And I think when Rice went right back and it left Lis Scally and Zubamey in the middle, I thought that's when we started playing much better football and I thought we were getting higher at the pitch. I thought he's let us in here our Teta and he rectified it at halftime. But Fernando and Zuchek were always on paper outnumbered and I never I never once felt it there was a bit in the second half when guard came on. He was he's a bit cleverer than other players or guard.

[00:23:40]He's picking up better positions um and influencing the game a lot more. But by and large, I thought them two did really well against such a top team. Um, Somerville picks himself and Bowen, I mean, it's another women prayer.

[00:23:55]Please, can Jen turn up, but he's capable. We just got to hope he does.

[00:24:00]Now, your front two, which I'm convinced is going to be the same as my front two, but regardless, what what were you what you hoping for?

[00:24:07]>> Um, I'm gonna go with Pablo and Callum Wilson up front.

[00:24:10]>> Okay, you were correct. This isn't um what I I'm going to do, but go on 22.

[00:24:16]>> Uh I I I think I think you got the I think you got Wilson up against his former club. Um, I I just think Pablo looked against Arsenal. Uh, okay. Aside from maybe the cup game against Brenford, he looked the most like I've seen him look like a target man.

[00:24:43]I thought he did look physical. I thought he did himself about a little bit too much, some might say. Um, I really liked his role in the in the buildup to the goal Fernandez didn't score and I thought he did really really well there and there was enough there for me to suggest that he might make himself a bit of a nuisance. Um, I I don't think I don't think we see Pablo and Wilson if Wilson starts on the bench. And I just wonder if that might be the best combination basically as I I I think by the time Wilson I think Wilson comes on for Pablo. And I'm not I I just suspect that Pablo I think I think Tatty's a better footballer much better footballer. I suspect Wilson might enjoy playing alongside Pablo more. That is my theory behind it.

[00:25:40]>> I don't think it's a crazy one actually.

[00:25:42]I don't think it's offensive. I I debated it. Wilson has to start from me.

[00:25:47]I've changed my mind and I've put Tat next to him and I think the reason I want to see Wilson start I still think we spoke about this a couple of weeks ago and my opinion was he's better as a super sub and I still hold that opinion. I still think Wilson is better as a super sub >> but we have to win this game. We absolutely have to win it. There's no let's try and nick in the last 15 20 minutes. that that's no we've got to try and from the first whistle goes we have to be like right let's go get three points here let's try and take the lead because I think the Newcastle fans are fed up I think they're glad there's a lot of fan bases right now I think they're suffering from football fatigue whether it's their club's crap they're not playing for anything they're fed up with V blah blah blah blah blah there's a whole host of reasons right there's football fatigue is a thing I think Newcastle fans are in there I think they're just a bit fed up right okay let's and they've had Champions League football, but well, they've had a lot of matches this season. So, I think they're probably thinking, let's just get Sunday over and done with like and then the last game of the season, whatever.

[00:26:54]Let's look forward to next season now.

[00:26:56]So, we can take an early lead. I think that have to I'm not even sure they'll boo. They might, but I think they might just be a bit, oh, whatever. Let's just let's just we'll just leave go to the pub at halftime kind of thing. Let's just get out of here. See's done. Let's just go. And I think the best chance of us taking the early lead is having Callum Wilson on the pitch. Um, we might only get one or two chances on Sunday. He's the guy I want them to fall to. He's showing all season he's clinical.

[00:27:24]I want the chances to fall to him. I've gone for Tatty over Pablo just because I think he's more likely to score than Callum Wilson. That that's purely the reason. I want to have two strikers in the box there and just say to Bowen and Somerville, your job is just to get the ball in the box. Same with your fullbacks J and whoever else it is. just get the crosses in because JF does whip them in early and I think with Tati and Wilson in the box there's a good chance they'll hit a West Ham player and that's why I've gone with my team. We need goals. I worry one might not be enough.

[00:27:55]So, we're going to need to score try and score multiple goals which is not something we've done too often um in recent weeks. It feels like this is it.

[00:28:03]Gonzo um leadeds gave us a bit of an opportunity. We've got half a chance.

[00:28:06]Two points behind Spurs. Two games to go and we've called 10 games this season on must win, but this is like the >> Yeah. Yeah.

[00:28:15]>> the final boss must win.

[00:28:16]>> It is. It is. Look, you know, I mean, it's been really interesting to to be a West Ham fan um over the last little while because you're getting this collective desire from anyone that's not a Tottenham fan for West Ham to send Tottenham down. and and and I think I think it's I think it's different. I think you've got I think you've got it different. It's different to wanting Arsenal to fail because I think that's a lot of that has got to do with their their fan base. I think there might be a pragmatism to wanting Tottenham to go down from a lot of these clubs and it's something that I actually thought about when Crystal uh when Aston Villa threw the game against them.

[00:28:59]I just thought you may not want as Aston Villa, you may not want a resurgent Tottenham or Roberto Deserby at the helm in the Premier League next season.

[00:29:08]>> Yeah.

[00:29:10]>> Um if you're going, you may well find if it's fifth spot for the Champions League again, you may well find they take that from you. So I I personally would have looked at that long term for I want to see them off and anyway that's listen for the short term they did absolutely right thing with I understand that. But I also think this is the case with Newcastle. Newcastle stand a much better chance in the Premier League next season. I'm making a case for them throwing the game as you can see where I'm leading.

[00:29:38]I'm You're leading the witness. I am. Um and I also would say the same about Everton as well. West Ham, little old harmless West Ham. We are we are unlikely to trouble you um next season um at Newcastle is all I would say. um if they're going to get a new manager, go on and build bigger and better things and rebuild the squad and try and qualify for Europe again.

[00:30:02]These these these clubs that are are sizable clubs, Villa, Newcastle, Everton, steeped in history, they they could do without Tottenham being there.

[00:30:14]So, and I only say that because whilst I understand there is a collective spirit from fans and we see them on the channel, you see them in the chat. Fans of other teams, I've had Newcastle fans on the channel this week saying we we we hope we hope you stay up, you know, we we hope Tottenham go down. I've had, you know, leads fans say it. So, but there's one thing there one thing the fans say in it and I understand that, but actually I do think it's advantageous for the football club as well. Um, if you for the reasons I've just explained, it's a massive game for us. It's a massive massive massive game.

[00:30:53]We we we did every everything within our power against Arsenal. I really do. We gave it a bloody good go and we did not deserve to lose that game and certainly not in a manner we did. That game deserved to be a draw. That that's that's just me. I'm not being biased.

[00:31:10]That's just how it is. That game deserved to be a draw. And I like to think if if we can get a draw against Arsenal, which we didn't, but if we can play well enough to get a draw, it's that performance against Arsenal makes the Brenford game look more like an anomaly.

[00:31:28]So I don't think whilst results have not gone our way, I don't think we're out of form. It's a big game. It's a massive game. We must win it.

[00:31:39]to add your reasonings for teams or why teams should prefer us to step over Spurs. I'd also add in the transfer window. You're Newcastle. You must be looking at that Spurs team thinking if they go down like there's three or four players you'd surely be interested in buying, right? Like if you're >> any team in the Premier League and you think, "Oh, we need a right winger." You you automatically look at the three relegated teams. Well, you're just going to scratch off Burnley Wolves. There ain't nothing worth having from there.

[00:32:07]But obviously if you're looking as I picked a bad position there in the right wing because you look at West and go yeah well I'm Jared Bowen right? But if you were after like a right back I'm not sure you'd be licking your lips at Wazaka Walk Peters but if Spurs went you might think oh hello Paul yeah we'll have a bit of that or Spence you know I think Spurs have got a lot of desirable players for the likes of Newcastle and Aston Villa.

[00:32:30]>> So I don't know I'm I'm agreeing with you. There's loads of reasons to why they want to see West Ham stay up but we've got to win this game because a point listen we were both anti a point is enough at Crystal Palace but park what you you think to one side for a moment I think Nuno could have made a case as to why it was okay you know if we went and beat Brenford we'd be out the bottom three by two points right >> so um well one point rather >> but you cannot you draw this game there is no there's no reasoning in There's no coming out and saying this is why it's a good point and no one's having it. It would be a point behind Spurs and they've got a game in hand. We you've we've have to win this game. It's it's >> Hail Mary time. It's we've got to go there and get three points. And I actually in a weird way I think that's why we might get a win because the pressure is on us.

[00:33:24]If we went there on Sunday, equal point points for Spurs right now. I think there would be a temptation, oh, if draws a good result here, put pressure on them. But because we're two points behind, you a point doesn't draw us level. It keeps us behind them. I think no one can justify a draw. They have to be thinking we've got to get three points. So therefore, we've got to plan to get three points. Got to try and get three points. And also the Actually, I'll save this bit. Are you feeling fruity?

[00:33:55]Not fruity. Not fruity, but I'm feeling serious is what I'm feeling. Um, but we could do something. We can we can do something for this game. Yeah. I I I think that anger from the Arsenal game can actually be turned into positive energy for this game. I think I think the players would have been fuming. You know, Thomas Sutek's shared something on social media about the penalty being corrupt, right? That's how furious those players are. But I think the coaching team bowling I think there's you can channel that. You can take that anger and over the course of a week really turn it into like motivation and determination and you don't have to believe it personally but you just tell the players like that what that's relegated. Go out there and win and show them blah blah blah. And I think we could come out on Sunday angry at St. James's part. Not oh we need to win. Oh, and I think the players might come out foaming at the mouth thinking we're going to get stuck in here. Like, we're not having we got ripped off a month a week ago. We got mugged off big time.

[00:34:59]We're going to go out there and we're going to give it to this slot. We're going to get the three points. You can check your VR as much as you want. You ain't ruling these out. And I I I I'm actually really looking forward to it.

[00:35:08]And it's it's it's >> put bit of fire in me if you like that decision against Arsenal. Even I'm a bit like, come on then. Um, this is Sparta.

[00:35:20]So, it's got me looking forward to Sunday. I've got hope. I've got a bit of worry, which I've discussed, but I'm feeling positive going into this game.

[00:35:27]I'm looking forward to it. You know, emotionally, we were a little bit dead going into the Arsenal game, but I'm certainly not that anymore.

[00:35:34]>> Let's let's have it on Sunday. So, with that in mind, Gonzo, can I have any final words? We all important score prediction, which I think I've gone too early with your score prediction. I don't think it's going to be what I've written down. Um, yeah, look, I mean, the players are still playing. That performance that Matches Fernandez put in against Arsenal was absolutely sublime. Um, if anyone thought, oh, you know, he he won't bother because he's off. No, no, no, no, no, no. There's there's a there's a top quality player.

[00:36:03]I think he's probably also I think he's playing to keep West Ham up. I think he he doesn't want back-to-back relegations on his CV. I think he's obviously going to be playing for his Portuguese place.

[00:36:12]Not that it's his yet, but he's only had one little one little flirt with it, ain't he? But he's got a lot to play for and I think there's a lot of players battling for West Ham here. I really really do. You know, as what has Nuno been perfect? Far from it actually. Far from it. But but he has got everyone playing for the cause. Everyone's fighting for the cause. Everyone's fighting for the team. There is no doubt about that at all. Um and I just hope that will count for something. I hope that wanting it more can count for something. Now, if you both go even on it, basically both teams want it. Sorry, the West Ham want it more. Then it comes down to quality.

[00:36:51]Well, we still have some quality as well. We still do. You mentioned Harvey Barnes. He worries the hell out of me actually. Just I think he's a a clinical player. I think he's no no thrills player. Does what it says on the tin and he can score a goal. He worries me.

[00:37:06]Barnes, right? But West Ham have got we have some qualities.

[00:37:13]Fernandez is totally capable of being the best midfielder on the pitch on that day. Maveros is totally capable of being the best central defender. He absolutely is.

[00:37:23]If Somerville starts getting people on cards early, that's an issue for him.

[00:37:28]There's no doubt about it at all. Bowen is not scored for donkeys years, but he can get back on it. Go on. What were you going to say?

[00:37:36]>> Three and a half months. I think I think the very end of January was the last time you scored.

[00:37:40]>> Right. Yeah.

[00:37:41]>> 31st of January. Literally the last day.

[00:37:44]>> Yeah. Um but you know, we we we can do this.

[00:37:48]We've got some really really good players. If it then comes down to wanting it and quality, I think we've got some quality as well. I'm not saying our players are better than Newcastle, but on our day, we got some good players. We we it would we can there is I can make a case for us on the day having the best defender, the best midfielder and the best attacker. I can make that case. Um and I just did. So yeah, we we got we got half a chance.

[00:38:12]Not an easy place to go. They chuck the fans right up the top. It's not good, but um go for 2-1.

[00:38:20]>> Oh, I went 3-1 earlier.

[00:38:23]I watched a lot of Newcastle and they've not been good for a while.

[00:38:30]Four points in the last two games would suggest that they've turned the corner.

[00:38:33]They weren't great against Forest. I thought it looked like a stale Newcastle against a tired not in Forest at the weekend. The week before that they beat Brighton. A lot of it was self-inflicted um from Brighton's aspect, a lot of defensive errors. And before that, they had five defeats in a row. You know, St. James' Park. It's not been the most difficult place to go recently. London Stadium is a far harder place to go than St. James's Park since the start of the year.

[00:39:00]>> And I think I'm a little bit the thing that we used to hate under our previous manager that phrase he played the badge, not the team. And I think I'm doing a little bit of that as a fan. Oh my god, it's a difficult game. Like, yeah, but it's it's because it's Newcastle and St. James's Park. I'm worried. But it's not because of Newcastle over the last two months, I'm worried because if it's was that Newcastle, I think we should be should be okay on Sunday. Listen, if we cannot What is the what's left for motivation for Newcastle to finish above Sunderland? I think that's more important to the fans than it is the players on the pitch. Personally, I think that I think the fans care about that. I'm I'm unconvinced that Nick Pope is that asked if they finish below Sunderland. Yeah, I could be wrong, but I'm I'm never convinced that players buy into this sort of stuff that the fan base. I think it means more to fans than it does to players.

[00:39:56]>> But we cannot beat a team that's possibly on the beach slash one eye on the World Cup. I mean, Bruno was posting pictures of him and his family at Disneyland earlier in the week, right?

[00:40:06]They're not even in training like so half the team will have one eye on the World Cup. the other half probably can't really be arched. And what you said about wanting it more, we absolutely have to. We have to be first to every ball. And if first to every second ball, and I think we will. I'm not convinced we've got two goals in us. And um I do wonder if Nuno is going to keep his back free in order to keep a clean shape, but I think we're going to do it on Sunday.

[00:40:32]Um I feel positive. I'm going to say Newcastle nil. West Ham won.

[00:40:36]>> Anyway, thank you very much for joining us. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below. If you're watching this on Thursday during the day, we're live at 7:00 over on the Hammershack Porum channel. Link is in the description below. You're watching this on Friday or Saturday. Don't worry, we've got you covered. The cup of tea that I was just referring to will be on your screen in just a few seconds. But before you go, please do kindly drop a like on the video by clicking thumbs up button. Sky damage chat and Gonzo. Catch you in a bit.