Publications
Partners
London - Dressing-room unrest, a change of manager and supporter dissatisfaction, Newcastle United's disastrous season will come to a close on Sunday with the north-east club needing a victory against West Ham United to guarantee Premier League survival.
With Burnley and Queens Park Rangers already down, the final piece of the Premier League's relegation puzzle will fall into place on Sunday - and it will be either Newcastle or Hull City who go down.
Hull remain favourites for the drop as they currently occupy 18th place with 34 points and not only have to beat fourth-placed Manchester United but must also hope Newcastle, two points above them, fall to the Hammers.
Newcastle's sorry season is epitomised by a run of nine defeats in their last 10 league matches and supporter protests are planned against owner Mike Ashley's running of the club at St James' Park on Sunday.
"It's come to this and we have to deal with it." Newcastle's interim manager John Carver told reporters.
"We need the supporters this weekend. Put all your differences to one side and get behind the team. We will have an inquest after."
The club's plight is a far cry from Kevin Keegan's reign as manager when he established Newcastle as a Premier League force.
These days, however, Newcastle supporters are more used to relegation battles rather than title challenges, with the club last dropping to the Championship in 2009.
