Eddie Howe’s side have made a patchy start to the new league season, currently sitting 12th with three wins, three draws and three losses.
But the past week has felt like a momentum shift. A late Bruno Guimaraes goal earned United a big win over Fulham last Saturday before following that up with a 2-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
Howe made eight changes to his starting XI for the Spurs match, which he admits has given some selection dilemmas for the visit to the London Stadium.
And perhaps his toughest decision is who will start at centre-back alongside Malick Thiaw, with Sven Botman and Fabian Schar both deserving of a place based on their recent performances.
When that question was put to Howe at his pre-match press conference, the head coach replied: “I think it's the type of decision, I'm not going to talk about necessarily that one specifically, but other choices that I have. For every ten people you ask, you probably get five go one way, five go the other and unfortunately I'm the guy that has to make the final decision.
“But that's the beauty, or not so beautiful side of being a football manager. You have to make very difficult decisions but you have to make one and then you have to stick with it.
“Team selection, I think, is always the hardest call because you're having to disappoint people that you really love and you really rate and you really don't want to do that. So that's one of the most difficult parts of the job, but I always do it with the best intentions and that's to help the team win.”
Here’s our predicted Newcastle United line-up to take on West Ham:
For as excellent as Aaron Ramsdale was in midweek, Eddie Howe has little reason to drop Nick Pope, with only Arsenal’s David Raya recording more clean sheets this campaign.
1. GK: Nick Pope
For as excellent as Aaron Ramsdale was in midweek, Eddie Howe has little reason to drop Nick Pope, with only Arsenal’s David Raya recording more clean sheets this campaign. | Getty Images
Trippier was among the players rested against Tottenham Hotspur so should be feeling somewhat refreshed for the visit to West Ham.
2. RB: Kieran Trippier
Trippier was among the players rested against Tottenham Hotspur so should be feeling somewhat refreshed for the visit to West Ham. | Getty Images
Thiaw has started the last nine games and has been in class in pretty much every one. Joined from AC Milan for £35m in the summer and has looked a bargain.
3. CB: Malick Thiaw
Thiaw has started the last nine games and has been in class in pretty much every one. Joined from AC Milan for £35m in the summer and has looked a bargain. | Getty Images
Botman or Fabian Schar? It’s a genuine selection dilemma. But perhaps Botman gets the nod, having only been substituted for Schar last week following a cut to the head.
4. CB: Sven Botman
Botman or Fabian Schar? It’s a genuine selection dilemma. But perhaps Botman gets the nod, having only been substituted for Schar last week following a cut to the head. | Getty Images