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I've always had a bit of a soft spot for West Ham United.

The strip was pretty unique and fairly cool. That might have been it. West Ham were one of my subbuteo teams. I liked Trevor Brooking and really admired the way Ray Stewart scored penalties.

Then my dad told me all about the club’s reputation for producing cultured footballers, at least back in the day, and that went down well with me.

I never supported them, however, but when some mates made it to that there London for work, I’d visit and once or twice we’d go to a game.

It was good fun. The football wasn’t particularly great, this was when they were in the Championship, but the pubs were a laugh and the locals were rather bemused as to why a bunch of Jocks were in the east end watching their team.

The Hammers side of today are having a good season. Whoever plays them in this weather needs to do well just to take a point.

Sam Allardyce isn’t every Newcastle fan’s idea of a manager, actually he is no Newcastle fan’s idea of a manager, but he’s done a pretty good job down there.

West Ham are a decent team who are just behind United in the league. Saturday, therefore, is a massive game. A draw would be fine. However, if Alan Pardew can take a win from his old home then things really do start to get interesting.

Seven wins in a row going into a match at Burnley. Then comes Chelsea and if Newcastle can take four or six points from their next two games, they can go into the home match against a side who look unbeatable with no pressure on them.

Newcastle have beaten teams from every part of the Premier League this season, but this is a slightly different test.

West Ham are similar in terms of where they thought they might finish and where they are right now.

Confidence won’t be a problem and there is always the Andy Carroll factor. He’s going to score against Newcastle some time, you would think.

I still think Newcastle will win. I honestly believe they are the second best team in England. Let’s be honest, it’s a funny old season.