Saturday 29 November 2014 11:03, UK
Manager Alan Pardew has admitted Newcastle's six-game winning streak has come as a surprise even to him.
The 53-year-old has presided over a remarkable recovery which has seen his side haul themselves from the brink of the relegation zone and into the Premier League's top five, silencing the calls for his head which had grown in volume amid their previous poor run of results.
An extension of the current sequence at West Ham on Saturday would see the Magpies record six successive wins in the league for the first time since April 2012 and give them seven victories on the trot in all competitions – something not achieved since their season in the Championship in 2009-10.
Pardew, who managed the latter feat twice in the same campaign as manager of Division Two Reading in 2001-02, said: "It is kind of a unique run we have been on and it has surprised even myself.
"We have focused on one game – West Ham – to keep it going. They are going to have a big say in this, to make sure it ends there."
Newcastle have conceded just one goal – Emmanuel Adebayor's opener at Tottenham on October 26 – in their faultless run with a defence which has changed in terms of personnel, but not effectiveness.
Pardew believes that is the result of a consistent approach which means that whoever lines up at the back, the method is much the same.
He added: "I think it has come from the fact the defenders, with the exception of Daryl (Janmaat), have been with me a long time. We don't change too much.
"They know how we work and we are pretty clear about what we should and shouldn't do. But you still need individuals to be confident and play well. Having said that, Paul Dummett has been a big part of it.
To come in at centre-back at his age and play as well as he did, and to put in the defensive performances he has at left-back – they were on the money every time he played."
Skipper Fabricio Coloccini and fellow central defender Steven Taylor have returned to training after calf and knee injuries respectively, although it remains to be seen if either is fit enough to start at Upton Park.
But former Hammers boss Pardew knows whoever does line up at the back, they will have their work cut out to preserve the recent record with Sam Allardyce having added astutely to his squad during the summer.
It's a special game for me. When we went back last year, it was terrific.
The Magpies manager said: "I think West Ham signed, pound for pound, the best signings of the summer.
"Allardyce has taken the club forward this year in terms of their style of play. With the options Sam has, I feel they're in for a big season, and I felt that in the summer."
Although our signings have made an impact – such as Janmaat, (Jack) Colback and (Ayoze) Perez - our real strength has come from within. Sammy (Ameobi), Rolando (Aarons), Gabby (Obertan), Dummett - all these guys have pushed up a little notch.
"But both teams have improved greatly on last year."
Pardew is relishing a trip back to a stadium where his side secured a 3-1 victory last term and he said: "It's a special game for me. When we went back last year, it was terrific.
"We really played well and it was one of our best performances - that made me proud. I have a lot of love for West Ham and the people and the fans there. It would be great going back there any time, but with this team at the moment, it's good news."
