KEViN KEEGAN'S Judgement goes on the line against West Ham tonight (Sky Sports, 8.0, with the Newcastle manager knowing he must get it right or give his critics the ammunition to have a go at his side on the title run-in.
Darren Peacock's return to fitness has increased the number of selection and tactical problems he must solve before Newcastle can reclaim their place on top of the Premiership. Victory would restore a three-point lead over Manchester United with a game in hand, after Alex Ferguson's men failed at QPR on Saturday to make the most of their superb victory at St James' Park a fortnight ago.
Keegan insists nerves are tinder control on Tyneside, saying: "Our destiny is in our own hands and we're the only ones who can say that. I know just one thing if we win all our games, we'll be champions of this country."
However, Newcastle have picked up just one point in nine since Harry Redknapp's side sparked a mini-crisis with a 2-0 win at Upton Park last month. Many believe the problems are self-inflicted with the expensive buys of Faustino Asprilla and David Batty disrupting the rhythm and balance of the side.
TV pundit Trevor Brooking, a former West Ham favourite, says: "They are in a psychological rut and this has become a desperately important game for Newcastle, having dropped their first points at home to United. There's so much pressure building up that anything less than three points will have even more people questioning their chances. I'm sure West Ham will relish the opportunity to be the party-poopers. They've made a habit of that in recent times."
Danish international Marc Rieper is fit to return to West Ham's defence and make life tough for Les Ferdinand, the England striker who has not scored since Asprilla arrived. Many Geordies believe Keegan should take a gamble and restore Keith Gillespie on the wing, but it is surely impossible to accommodate him with Asprilla, David Ginola and Peter Beardsley in the same team.
Keegan has hinted at a more orthodox formation than the attacking line-up which foundered against Peter Schmeichel two weeks ago. He could also reshape his defence now that former record f2.75 million buy Peacock, who missed the United defeat with an ankle injury, trained yesterday for the first time.
Keegan is looking to his more experienced players to remove doubts about his side's mental-resolve. Belgian veteran Philippe Albert is determined to pick up a winners' medal as compensation for missing out on the European championships in England. His country failed to qualify for the June finals leaving one of the most cultured defenders in Europe kicking his heels for the summer.
It would be too hard for me to stay in England while the European championships are taking place," Albert said yesterday. I'm going to the south of France for 10 days and then I intend to shut myself away in Belgium and just concentrate on being ready for next season.
"Of course it will be doubly worse for me if we do not win the Premiership at Newcastle. But hopefully we will and it will not only be a great time for me but the whole of Tyneside. We need to get our revenge against West Ham and if we play to the same level as we did in the first half against Manchester United, then they Will not be able to compete with us."
Tony Cottee is expected to start for West Ham if he overcomes his calf strain - even though he faces competition from new Romanian signing Ilie Dumitrescu, who came on as substitute against Middlesbrough.
Redknapp dismisses suggestions that Newcastle's charge towards the Premiership title has been destroyed by Manchester United's 1-0 victory at St James' Park.
"The first half against Manchester United was as g9od a 45 minutes as I have seen from any team in years," said Redknapp. "They were absolutely magnificent and did everything but score. They should have been three or four goals up.
Redknapp also revealed that American international mid-fielder John Harkes has returned to the United States after cutting short his loan spell at Upton Park. "John did well but the situation was we would let him go back when we felt we were safe," Redknapp said.
