Newcastle happy with just a point at West Ham

I suppose it wasn’t such a bad result for the Hammers but earning just a point for Newcastle was a nightmare for Pardew.

Newcastle slipped further into the relegation area and the Toons could have done with two extra points at the Boleyn ground.Both Wigan and Aston Villa managed to secure away wins which just added to Newcastle’s grief.

Newcastle find themselves in a precarious 5th from bottom scenario with just 38 points to their name. Sunderland are hovering below the Toons on 37 points and below Sunderland is Wigan on 35.

The Hammers are of course at 10th position with 43 points so a nil nil draw at home wasn’t that bad of a deal considering that the season is almost over.

There’s been some talk this week of a split dressing room at Newcastle. Add this to that the fact that Pardew’s lads were thrashed 6 nil by Liverpool and 3 nil by Sunderland in the local derby on home turf and you have a recipe for disaster.

The northerners started the game well but failed to keep the momentum going in the second half and keeper Rob Elliot was called into action on a couple of occasions.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew said after the game:

“It’s a good point,” said Pardew. “It’s a great win for Wigan and that has put pressure on us, but we rolled our sleeves up in the second half and we have answered the talk of rifts in the camp.

I think we have put that to bed. The players have had some heavy criticism and I’m pleased for them.”

Neil McDonald, West Ham’s assistant manager acknowledged that Newcastle had the edge over West Ham in the first half but the home side were unlucky not to beat the Tynesiders in the second. He also said that he thought Newcastle would stay up.

Next Hammers game is away to Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday 12th May. After a disappointing local derby match with Liverpool, it might be a chance for the Irons to pickup a decent away win.