Newcastle United will be shown no sympathy by former boss Sam Allardyce - but the West Ham United manager insists he does not hold a grudge against his former employers. The Magpies could be demoted on the final day of the season if Hull City beat Manchester United and they fail to conquer Allardyces Hammers following the devastating 2-1 loss John Carvers side suffered at Queens Park Rangers last weekend. And Allardyce, who endured a miserable seven months on Tyneside and is still angered by the way in which his Newcastle reign came to an end, does not intend to give his former employers an easy passage to Premier League survival - although he insists he merely wants to win to get three points for West Ham, not to get one over on Newcastle. Speaking ahead of the game, the former Magpies boss said:
"It's not about Newcastle for me - some people have suggested I am all up for winning to try to send them down. "I want to win it for West Ham because that's where I work. I want to finish with a win away from home and finish with 50 points. "It's too far down the road for any of that stuff (wanting revenge on Newcastle). It's been a long time since we parted company. "For me, looking back is not what I am really about. Since Newcastle I have had a fantastic time at Blackburn Rovers and a fantastic time here since then, which is nearly seven years. Time flies - doesn't it?"
Former Magpies captain Kevin Nolan could also feature for West Ham - but Andy Carroll will not be fit for his return to St James Park - and Allardyce has told his players to show Newcastle no mercy. Speaking after West Ham lost 2-1 at home to Everton at the weekend, Allardyce told Sky Sports:
Weve (Allardyce, Nolan and Carroll) talked about it (going to Newcastle). When you look at the situation from our point of view its about being professional, not about what we do because its Newcastle and we were there. Its about trying to win there for our benefit and the justification for everybody else in terms of who are fighting that relegation battle. We have to try to do our very best. You cant show sympathy for anybody, because nobody shows any sympathy for you.
In all honesty, Allardyce would almost certainly love nothing more than to send Newcastle down along with QPR and Burnley. Vengeance is best served cold, and Allardyce could dish up the sweetest revenge by condemning the Toon Army to Championship football next season. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
