Location – The Boleyn (Upton Park )   Kick Off – 3.00pm  
Date – (Sunday) 17th September 2006   Tickets – On General Sale   
Coverage – BBC Radio Newcastle on 95.4FM, 1458 MW   Referee - Rob Styles

It seems the further we progress in the UEFA Cup the less often we will see a Saturday 3.00pm kickoff, but heyho it’s a small price to pay for European football. After a rather disappointing second half to our foray in Estonia we can bring with us a few positives to our next away day. Ramage & Moore looked solid, Martins is actually getting closer to hitting the target, Tony Sibierski scored on his début and it looks like Bramble wont play for a couple of weeks…. Awaiting us when we make the long trip south to the big smoke is a new look West Ham team that like us is being touted to the highest bidder at the moment. The only difference being that the people who are considering a take over at West Ham have put there money where there mouth is with the shock arrivals of Tevez and Mascherano, two world class players. With West Ham first European leg in Italy not going to plan they will be all the more determined not to let any more problems occur. I am pretty sure if picked Mr Bowyers will come back to haunt us and having five fit strikers to pick from Alan Pardew must be feeling confident about our arrival in East London.

Last Season (2005 - 2006):

Away (W) 2-4 (Owen x 3, Shearer) – (Solano OG, Harewood)

Home (D) 0-0

Likely Squads:

West Ham - Carroll, Green, Walker, Mears, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Collins, Konchesky, Spector, Dailly, Benayoun, Mullins, Mascherano, Reo-Coker, Bowyer, Sheringham, Cole, Harewood, Zamora, Tevez.

Fitness News - Paintsil (Knee) Newton (Banned 7 Months)

Man to Watch – Tevez – Played 78 minutes against Palermo and look very lively.

NUFC – Given, Harper, Carr, Bramble, Bernard, Moore, Taylor, Ramage, Duff, Parker, Emre, Butt, Milner, N'Zogbia, Sibierski Pattison, Ameobi, Luque, Martins.

Man to Watch – Ameobi – Returns fresh after his rest during the week.

Fitness News – Owen (Long Term), Dyer (End of September) Bramble (Leg) Solano (Hamstring) Babayaro (Hamstring)

Additional News – We still haven’t heard any official news regarding Kevin Bonds no show in Estonia so we presume Terry Mc and Lee Clarke will assist Glenn in London. With a steady stream of free agents being touted around the Premiership it seems Glenn is happy with his squad at least until January. I for one am applauding Mr Roeder’s resilience not to sign one of these mercenaries just to keep the doubters happy.

ES