Premier League: Pride and Passion Collide on Tyneside

Newcastle United vs West Ham United

Two proud Premier League clubs who have endured plenty of ups and downs over the past decade or so.

Both have been starved of success on the pitch and fans’ frustration stretches way beyond that, including to the very core of the way their beloved organisations have seemingly been run.

Yet despite this backdrop, Newcastle United and West Ham United continue to be backed by some of the most passionate supporters in the country, particularly in the northeast which is a true hotbed of football with hordes turning up week-in and week-out to urge on those wearing the shirt.

Now as they prepare to return to stadiums on the opening weekend of the new season, it’s surely time to cut the men in charge of what happens on the pitch some slack.

Talking Points

Let’s be honest, neither Steve Bruce or David Moyes will ever be classed as fans’ favourites, although I believe Moyes’s name was chanted during a friendly last weekend.

But currently, there appears to be more stability at the respective clubs in the northeast and the East End of London than for some time – even if that isn’t widely recognised.

That is largely down to the managers.

For example, Bruce’s achievements in two seasons in the Toon hotseat have been every inch as successful as that of his predecessor Rafa Benitez, even though it’s clear Geordie Bruce has not been welcomed by the fans in the same vein and perhaps his brief stint as Sunderland boss has something to do with that.

Unfortunately for Newcastle’s manager, an awful lot of the club’s hard-to-please fans think Bruce has been lucky to escape two relegations, still pine for Benítez and suspect a squad featuring the attacking talents of Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin is capable of more than mid-table finishes.

Perhaps that same support should remember they are not entitled to success and would be better ensuring their ire is fully focused on the person really responsible for their anger, owner Mike Ashley.

Ashley is almost universally loathed by supporters. Although the Premier League, in blocking the £300-M Saudi-led takeover, has somehow pulled off the near-impossible feat of uniting owner and fanbase in mutual fury.

Premier League: Newcastle United fans launch protest against owner Mike Ashley — A fan holds a sign in protest against Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley before the match

If Ashley is unpopular, then the owners of West Ham are not too far behind with duo David Gold and David Sullivanunderstood to be unwilling to enter negotiations with PAI Capital over a proposed club takeover – something many would like to see after 11 years of general mediocrity under their stewardship with the exception of Slaven Bilic’s 2015/16 campaign.

The similarities with Newcastle do not end there as equally on the footballing side of matters. Moyes is seen as a safe but unspectacular pair of hands, a figure who has done a decent job during both his stints in the Hammers hot seat but will never be universally loved.

Brutally exposed during 10 months in charge at Manchester United, it’s clear certain lessons have not been learned otherwise the Scot would have surely guided West Ham into a higher league position last term when a top four finish was in their hands with just three weeks of the season remaining.

However, he has still created some memories for the Hammers to cherish, generally achieved more than expected and, like Bruce, now needs to be backed accordingly if either club is to progress beyond its regular mid-table status.

Realistically can either manager take their clubs any further without significant financial support? Probably not, but I’m not convinced Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, et al would have achieved any more at either outfit over the past two years on the same budget.

So here we go again. A new season, same old grumbles, same old faces.

Both managers deserve to be cut some slack as they begin again in search of Premier League 2021 highlights and tangible progress.

Whether that reality emanates from the stands we are about to find out.

History

A 1908 meeting in the FA Cup was where it all started for these two clubs as two goals from Bill Appleyard won the day 2-0 for Newcastle incidentally.

Since then, Newcastle have triumphed 57 times, West Ham 42, and a further 38 meetings have ended all square.

Since Bruce took over two summers ago, Newcastle have had the upper hand, winning three and drawing one of their four clashes including a league double last season.

The corresponding fixture was a thriller as Newcastle won 3-2, thanks to a late goal from Joe Willock – this after 10-man West Ham had overturned a 2-0 deficit to draw level through Issa Diop and on-loan Jesse Lingard.

Second half goals from Wilson and Jeff Hendrick also earned the Toon Army a 2-0 win at the London Stadium last September.

Betting Tip

	Newcastle United vs West Ham United	1X2 Draw @ 3.35
	August 15, 21:00 (GMT+8)

The SBOTOP Premier League 2021 betting odds have these two evenly matched and make West Ham slight favourites, both 1X2 @ 2.25 and Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.25.

Newcastle are also priced appealingly 1X2 @ 3.05 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.40.

All in all, I think this will be a tight contest on opening weekend.