By Hughie Southon
Hammers boss David Moyes has made one change to the team which started the 2-0 home win over Everton a fortnight ago as he seeks his 250th Premier League victory as a manager at Newcastle United.
Injured Kurt Zouma is replaced by Thilo Kehrer in the back-three in the only switch from the victory over the Toffees at London Stadium.
The Hammers arrive at St James’ Park having won and kept clean sheets in three of their previous four matches and having lost just one of the last five in all competitions.
However, with just one away victory and five points from ten away matches played in the Premier League this season, a big change in approach is required.
Moyes has fielded a basically defensive formation with just three out and out affacking players on the field – Bowen, Benrahma and Antonio although it remains to be seen what role is handed to Paqueta.
Kehrer joins Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd in the back three, with Vladimír Coufal and Emerson Palmieri filling the wing-back positions.
Ahead of them, captain Declan Rice anchors the midfield against the same opposition he scored against in a 2-0 home Premier League win in March 2019.
Danny Ings, who has recovered from the minor knee injury he suffered on debut against Everton, is included on the bench whilst for Newcastle, new signing Anthony Gordon is among the replacements following his transfer from Everton, but there is no place in the 20 for former Hammer Harrison Ashby.
Moysie has taken us back to the position he found us in when he first came here.But i fear that its too late to get a manager in that can turn this around.Moyse cant get players in as they dont want to play for him.He is the reason players dont want to stay,so what ever team or tactic he selects(only 1) the out come will be 1,no points,2,no shots from us and 3,a drab performance.Just waiting for the next manager to arrive.
Well that performance has made you look a bit silly😂😂😂
Yes and fair play,i posted comments after seeing Mags put the ball in the net twice in the opening minutes.
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Kehrer still looks lost and Johnson should’ve started. What a performance from Aguerd!-he even outshone Rice. Antonio gave it absolutely everything and Paqueta is finding his feet at last. A defensive start/ lineup which backfired but a well deserved point in the end. The Skys Ports commentators were all over Newcastle from the start like they’re the best thing since sliced bread but mellowed later on. If the toffees can beat Chelsea so can we. COYI
It was an improved performance but after a year of horrific results and performances in the PL it does not mean anyone looks foolish. It was a decent performance last night, some people wud argue that it was a great performance and perhaps it was based on the rubbish we have watched for 12 months now. if we were properly about it last night we would have won the game. One game changes nothing for most fans, it is clear Moyes is not the person to bring us to the next level. So nobody is foolish and as fans all we ask for is entertaining performances and results. We have not got that under Moyes, last night changes nothing.