The Hammers get us under way.

Newcastle ready? West Ham ready to spoil the day? Three, two, one...

The Newcastle fans are in fine voice. It's a packed house inside a sunlit St James' Park. Mark Knopfler's theme from Local Hero blasts out for the last time this season. Will it be the last time before a Premier League match for some time?

Believe it or not, another team are involved in today's entertainment at St James' Park.

Ex-Magpies manager Sam Allardyce, who reports suggest could be an ex-Hammers manager soon, leads his West Ham side out following a season that has gone a little bit like this...

"It's not about what happens to Newcastle for me. Some have suggested that I'm all up for us winning to send them down, but it's far too far down the road for any of that stuff," Allardyce said, having been sacked by Newcastle in 2008 after just eight months in charge.

"It's been a long time since we parted company and looking back to the past is never what I've been about because you can't affect what happens in the past. You learn from it and move on to the future."

And on his West Ham side, who dropped from occupying a Champions League place to the current position of 11th:

"We're all disappointed that we haven't achieved more than we have done," he added.

"We could have had a great season and matched, with a bit more luck, the best season West Ham have had."

Former Tottenham striker Garth Crooks
Final Score

"I said previously Newcastle have gone mentally and I stand by that. John Carver has been talking about this game being like a cup final. Well the problem with that is you never know how players are going to react in those types of game. If they can hold their nerve, their fortune is in their own hands."

Well then, what do you make of all that from Mike Ashley? The man has a voice. Should he have spoken earlier in the season? Too little too late?

Anyway, the players are ready to come out on to the pitch. I wonder if they watched the interview?

So many questions.

Mike Lee: Does that mean if Newcastle win the Championship Mike Ashley will sell up..?

Kurt Lawrence: How is Ayoze Perez not starting today?! Best attacking player we've had this season!

Get involved using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, or send us a text on 81111 in the UK only. Don't forget to include your name and location.

Image source, PA

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has spoken to Sky Sports, which I believe is his first TV interview since taking charge of the Magpies.

On Newcastle's predicament:

"I can't really imagine it from Christmas. I probably didn't anticipate the club to be anywhere near this situation. After the last couple of weeks I'm a little bit shocked where we are today.

"Responsibility stops at my door."

On his future at the club:

"I'm not going anywhere until we win something. That includes getting a Champions League place."

On appointing a new manager:

"Managing director Lee Charnley and the football board will make a decision about any new manager. I will not be picking the next manager."

Yes, you read that correctly. Coming up...

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at St James' Park

Image source, PA

"Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has just arrived pitchside and made his way up high into the stand at St. James' Park. He was was greeted with silence by the fans who recognised him apart from one who shouted: "Hope you're happy with yourself."

"Ashley will be hoping that is as bad as it gets - but results here and at Hull City might decide that."

BBC Final Score

Don't forget you can watch all the scores coming through on Final Score on BBC Two from 16:30 BST until 17:15 BST. Coverage starts from 14:30 BST on the BBC Red Button & Online.

Presenter Jason Mohamed is joined in the studio by former Tottenham striker Garth Crooks and ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown. They will be discussing their strikers of the season and the coach of the year and you can have your say on #bbcfootball., external

You can also vote on who you think will go down on the main Premier League live text. The vote closes at 14:55 and the results will be revealed shortly after.

Image source, Getty Images

More of a bad omen.

The last time Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League (2009), the final day games were played on 24 May, Hull faced Manchester United and Sunderland played Chelsea.

Newcastle are obviously hoping for a favour from former manager "Big Sam" this afternoon - and the numbers point to good news Magpies fans!

Sam Allardyce has won just two of his last 15 Premier League games (D5 L8), while West Ham have conceded at least two goals on the final day in each of the last three seasons.

By the way, if you want to follow the clash and carry-sized Premier League live text, which today is marshalled by Tom Rostance and Mike Henson, then click here and if you want to follow Hull v Manchester United then click here.

We do spoil you.

The Newcastle players are out on the St James' Park pitch going through the drills. I wonder what is going through their minds?

You know the score.

#bbcfootball, , externaltext on 81111 (UK only) or jump on the good ship BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Image source, .

So yes. Here we are. Thirty-seven played, one remaining and it comes to this.

Let's read the thoughts of "the best coach in the Premier League" John Carver. The Geordie was handed control of the team following the departure of Alan Pardew at the end of 2014, but the Magpies have only picked up 10 points in the second half of the season.

"It's about five months now and in that time I don't think any other manager would have had to deal with everything I've had to deal with in their whole career," Carver said this week.

"In a really strange way I've thoroughly enjoyed it. I really have. I think I got softened up a little bit when Alan [Pardew] was here and he took a bit of abuse. I got used to it.

"It's not a nice thing to happen but I'm definitely a stronger person and, whatever happens after Sunday, I'll be better for it, one way or another.

"If I had the chance again I'd do exactly the same and say, 'Yes, I want this job'. I'd just like to think I'd have the rub of the green a little bit more, a little bit more luck."

He'll need a lot more than luck today.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at St James' Park

"Newcastle's fans have been drawn to St. James' Park hours before kick-off today. This superb arena, so close to the city centre, is every inch the perfect setting for a club to enjoy Premier League success, or indeed any success at all.

"And yet they have to go back to 1969 for their last silverware in the Inter Cities' Fairs Cup - and now face the prospect of relegation from the Premier League. Little wonder that you can almost reach out and touch the mixture of frustration and anxiety of those fans already gathered around the concourses here waiting for kick-off against West Ham United."

Newcastle centre-back Mike Williamson returns after his two-match suspension. Papiss Cisse starts as does midfielder Vurnon Anita.

West Ham pick Reece Burke and Kevin Nolan in the starting XI. They also name former Magpie midfielder Rob Lee's son, striker Elliot, on the bench. Imagine if he comes on to...

Newcastle XI: Krul, Janmaat, Coloccini, Williamson, Dummett, Sissoko, Anita, Colback, Gutierrez, Riviere, Cisse.

West Ham XI: Adrian, Jenkinson, Burke, Reid, Cresswell, Song, Nolan, Kouyate, Downing, Valencia, Cole.

The final Newcastle and West Ham team news of the season. Excited?