Game On! Newcastle v West Ham

Game on at SJP! It feels strange saying this, but to me this actually feels like our first game of the season.

Playing away as an opener isn't great and when it's against a team like Manchester City it kind of leaves you a bit feeling flat, but it's done now and hopefully our season can start now.

The visitors are West Ham United who have strong ex-Newcastle connections and no doubt a point to prove once more. Kevin Nolan bagged the winner for his current employers last term so a repeat of that will need to be avoided, as will Sam Allardyce extending his unbeaten run as a manager against us ever since he was removed from the managerial hotseat at St James' Park. Another former Mag, Andy Carroll, will have to wait to face us.

I can't stress the importance of getting a win today. Being bottom of the table, even after only one game, isn't nice so we need to get away from that. Another important factor is the level of performance which needs to be greatly improved if we are to improve this season.

The game is not being shown live here in the UK but it is being broadcast throughout the world on various overseas TV channels so there is a chance a stream could be available. As usual, should you happen to find one then please share it with your fellow NUFC fans by leaving a link in the 'comments' section below.

Team news will be added into the article around one hour before kick-off and will be provided by Big Dave as I'm at work unfortunately, which might actually be a good thing as we always seem to do quite well when I'm not watching.

So here we go. The first game at St James' Park for the season. What will it bring? Will it allow a brief ray of sunlight to break through the gloom surrounding United at the moment? Or will those clouds darken still further?

Howay the lads!

Newcastle: Krul; Debuchy, Coloccini (c), Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon; Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Anita, Marveaux; Shola Ameobi, Cissé.

Subs: Elliot, Bigirimana, Dummett, Gosling, Gouffran, Vuckic, Sammy Ameobi.

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel, O'Brien, Collins, Reid, Noble, Diame, Nolan, Downing, Jarvis, Maiga

Subs: Adrian, Rat, Tomkins, Diarra, Morrison, Cole, Vaz Te