All out for the cup?

The sun

Unlike many of his top-flight rivals, Newcastle's boss is ready to pay the competition maximum respect.
That means he might rest his big names in the league to boost Newcastle's FA Cup hopes in a bid to end the success-starved Geordies' 43-year wait for major silverware.
Toon, who travel to Brighton in the fourth round today, sit sixth in the Prem table after defying the critics with their outstanding early-season form.
Boss Pards said: "A few years ago I rested players in the league ahead of a cup game at West Ham and got huge criticism for it.
"We were due to play Middlesbrough after a Saturday game and I rested six or seven players against Spurs who beat us handsomely.
"I wasn't too popular in the East End at the time but then we won the cup game and I was popular again — so it's something I'd consider again.
"It's all about prioritising what's important. I sympathise with the teams near the relegation zone when the cup comes round because the financial impact is such that you have to focus on the league.
"You have to adjust to where you are, it's horses for courses. For us, after the league, the cup's the second biggest competition we can win. It levels the playing field and gives us an opportunity of winning a trophy and also getting into Europe — so I can't stress enough its importance."
Pardew knows Newcastle will be up against it with Gus Poyet's Championship side backed by a 22,000 full house at the Amex.
The Toon boss added: "This is one of the hardest ties in the round. We're under no illusions as to how tough a place it is to go. We'll try to win but I'd take a draw for sure."

 

So he doesn't think we can win the league!! Seems like a lack of ambition to me!

 

I would definately take a draw here. Gets us into the hat for the next round and we should cruise past Brighton at home!?

Draw would be satisfactory for me tonight.

 

The Mirror.

"Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is willing to rest players in league matches so they are fit to make a run at winning the FA Cup." Bit of a turn round that like!

 

I have a cheeky fiver on the draw.

 

It's a bit of a non story after a league game where we didn't rest anyone too...

 

odds?

I can definately see a 1-1/2-2.
They'll come out the blocks fast and we "won't be ready!" but we'll gradually come back into the game over time.

HBA to score methinks.

 

Selected PP Match odds:
Danny Guthrie to score in a Newcastle win @ 9/1
Game to end in a 0-0 draw @ 17/2
Newcastle to score in both halves @ 2/1

Was thinking of putting a few quid on this bet,
.

 

Brighton 1 - 3 Newcastle
Mackail - Smith

Ben Arfa
Best
Cabaye

 

what pards says goes i suppose ,we should beat brighton but a draw will do im hoping on some action today chaps and soon as the dembas and mr t are back we will be flying

 

1-2

we will have a strong team and i think we should play ameobi, he destroys the championship

 

No, no he doesn't.

 

Oh yes, bring out the Shola

 

We always play a strong team in the cup under Pardew, the problem has always seemed to be motivating the players to actually perform.

 

Shola indeed destroys nothing. He will lose the ball or be easily tackled and then repulsively give a foul a way like he always does.

Leave him on the bench, if we are winning comfortably he can have ten minutes at the end. That is all

 

"You have to adjust to where you are, it's horses for courses. For us, after the league, the cup's the second biggest competition we can win.

Sounds like the leagues all wrapped up. After all we've not played anyone, not been challenged yet and we're past half way.
Seems like the big boys are actually teams in the lower divisions who we will have to compete against for this cup.
Makes sense to hold the double D's for the challenging cup run whilst letting out perch and ameobi to stroll the league.

 

To be fair didnt Shola have a brilliant record in the Championship? 11 in 19 or something.

 

he destroys peoples optimism when he's named in the starting lineup

 

.

 

Indeed mate