John Carver insists he still believes he is the "best coach in the Premier League" - but he must start turning his sky-high self-confidence into results this weekend if he is to keep Newcastle United in the Premier League. The Magpies host West Bromwich Albion at St James' Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off) having lost eight games in succession for the first time in their Premier League history, with their most-recent defeat being a 3-0 humbling at relegation rivals Leicester City last weekend. They are 15th - just two points and three places above Sunderland in 18th - and have just three games to save their season. Tony Pulis' West Brom, meanwhile, have claimed seven points from their last nine and have kept three clean sheets in the process - including at Old Trafford last weekend when they beat Manchester United 1-0. They are now up to 13th, on 40 points, and look all-but safe from relegation. But, for both sides, who will be the players who can ultimately decide this match? Which players will their teammates look towards to drive them towards victory? And, most importantly, who is going to provide the goals to win their side the match? So here are three key head-to-head clashes that will go a long way to deciding whether Newcastle United or West Bromwich Albion emerge victorious from their Premier League clash at St James' Park. 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.
