Preview - Newcastle vs West Ham

A comfortable performance saw the Hammers win 2-0 against Cardiff. It was a great opening result for West Ham and a brilliant way to start the new season. Which a great deal more for the disastrous performance I saw Newcastle play on Monday night - as they lost 4-0 in Manchester.

The two clubs face each other on Saturday. I was a little worried about this game before last week and felt that after a difficult season last year; Newcastle might have a much stronger one this season. And yes, I know it is only one week in and they had a very difficult away trip against a Man City side that looked world class and Newcastle fans won’t like me saying this, but their performance was an utter embarrassing shambles.

Defensively they looked awful, particularly Debuchy, who put in a catastrophic performance. The whole team was full of petulant reactions, sloppy passes and an obvious lack of passion for the club; the entire team looked unhappy. Cisse and Ben Arfa, who I would highlight as the danger men looked off the pace and un-interested.

After Monday night’s performance I am pretty confident we could get another good result here.

`West Ham played well, it was a solid and steady performance, but equally, Cardiff were so poor it was an easy game with no real threat that West Ham would do anything other than win. The Bluebirds did not manage a single shot on goal. This was thanks to a fantastic defensive performance as well as a poor attacking display from Cardiff. Winston Reid was solid as ever in centre defence along with James Collins. I was surprised to see Joey O’Brien start over Razvan Rat, but was not disappointed with his ever reliable performance.

The Hammers were without their star striker Andy Carroll, who was missing with a heel problem, but it was Joey Cole, who stole the limelight with his superb early strike. Cole's display will probably earn him another start against Newcastle.

Modibo Maiga is likely to lead the line again, and I think he did a decent job against Cardiff. Maiga held the ball up well at times and did a lot of hard work that won’t be appreciated due to his lack of goal threat. As a West Ham fan, I urge other fans to get behind Maiga.

I would really like to see Morrison feature at some point this week. I was a little bemused to see Vaz Te come on when West Ham were leading comfortably last week, I felt that would have been a perfect time to introduce Ravel. Maybe it was Sam’s way of saying thank you to RVT who could be leaving. A cameo appearance is the least he deserves and if he does, I will be sad to see him go.

Andy Carroll will miss out again, but West Ham could give Downing and Razvan Rat their first starts for the club. Downing looked very sharp when he came on and I am excited to see more from him.

Newcastle will be without Steven Taylor, who is suspended following his straight red against Manchester City as well as having Loic Remy and Jonas Gutierrez missing out due to injury. Yohan Cabaye is also likely to miss out.

The last time the two met at St. James' Park, we saw West Ham run out 1-0 winners thanks to a Kevin Nolan goal. It was a rare away win.

Kick-off this Saturday is a traditional 3pm. 

And I'll go for a safe 1-1.

Enjoy the game!

COYI!

Preview - West Ham vs Cardiff

The most envied league in the world is about to explode into action once again. A sell out crowd is expected at the fortress that we call Upton Park against new boys Cardiff City, and I for one, can not wait.

Everyone is hoping to avoid the big guns on the opening day, and in Cardiff, West Ham got to polar opposite. However the Championship winners are not to be scoffed at and could prove to be a tricky customer at for the Hammers at the Boleyn Ground this Saturday. With a point to prove and some good summer investments, Cardiff City are not to be underestimated.

The Bluebirds are back in the top flight for the first time in half a century and Malky's men are determined to stay. Cardiff have made some solid investments that will add a little premier league quality to their side breaking their own transfer fee record three times in doing so. Steven Caulker coming in at center back will being some real experience even at the young age of 21. As well as Caulker, Gary Medal has came in from Sevilla and will add some real steal to their midfield. Cardiff fans will disappointed that to won't get to see their summer signing striker Andreas Cornelius who will be out with an injury. The big Dane scored an impressive 20 in 44 games last season for F.C. Copenhagen. 

This will be a concern for Cardiff who, although they won The Championship, did not have someone who reached double figures in goals in 46 games. A  big cause for concern. 

Pre season has been a mixed bag for Cardiff who have recorded wins over Athletic Blibao and Chievo but have also lost to Brentford. South Korean winger Kim Bo-Kyung has probably been the most impressive, scoring in three of their friendlies whilst Fraizer Campbell and Peter Whittingham have netted twice. All three will be important outlets for the Welsh club on Saturday. The experienced Craig Bellamy has also impressed and is sure to be a talisman for Cardiff this season. 

As well as Cornelius out with an ankle injury, Cardiff will also be missing suspended defender Andrew Taylor.

Big Sam has spent big this summer and has smashed the clubs transfer fee record by bringing in giant striker Andy Carroll. Along with Carroll, Sam has invested in experienced full back Razvan Rat and Liverpool's Stewart Downing. Unfortunately Andy seems to be carrying an injury which will more than likely keep him out of the opening day fixture. But I've still got my fingers crossed. Rat and Downing should both feature in Saturdays starting XI

West Ham have had an impressive pre-season wins, particularly on their tour of Germany, should see the Hammers in good shape. The Hammers will want to continue on last season's impressive 10th place finish and their equally impressive pre-season.

One player who has particularly stood out pre season is young talent, Ravel Morrison. Fans will be hopeful of him making at least a cameo against Cardiff. Due to Andy Carroll being injured, Modibo Maiga could be used as a solo centre forward. Other key men for West Ham include to ever combative, goal scoring midfielder Kevin Nolan. Nolan will be looking to pick up where he left off on the last day of the 2012/13 season, where he scored a hat trick against relegated Reading.

West Ham conceded the fewest headed goals (four) in the Premier League last year, this was mainly down to some immense defensive displays from Winston Reid and James Collins. The two will be hoping for more of the same and a clean sheet against Cardiff. 

The last time the two met was West Ham's 5-0 aggregate win in the play-off semi finals in 2012. Something that will be very encouraging for West Ham fans.

I predict a 3-1 victory for West Ham.

See you at 3pm, Saturday...

Come on you Irons!