Another good Pardew interview

[Wein14]

Really is starting to sound like a really sound bloke!

http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2011/02/23/do-not-let-our-season-fizzle-out-says-alan-pardew-61634-28216991/

AMBITIOUS Alan Pardew has kicked off a pivotal fortnight for Newcastle United's Europa League dream by warning players and fans: "Don't let our season fizzle out."

Buoyed by the defeat of Birmingham last week, the United boss is targeting a grandstand finish to a memorable Premier League comeback campaign – but knows beating fellow European hopefuls Bolton on Saturday is key to keeping their season “alive”.

Aware that some might view the visit of Owen Coyle’s in-form side as nothing more than a battle between two mid-table sides, Pardew is teasing talk of a European challenge to put the Trotters contest in context.

While that might sound ambitious – indeed United’s stated first aim is to preserve their Premier League status – it will definitely be on the agenda if United, who face struggling Everton in a fortnight, manage to secure back-to-back successes at St James’ Park.

To achieve that, Pardew is appealing to supporters to recreate the superb second-half atmosphere that helped the Magpies complete an incredible comeback from 4-0 down to claim a 4-4 draw against Arsenal earlier this month.

“The game is pivotal,” Pardew said of the Bolton clash. “It is pivotal because we won an away game which gave us five away wins – the best in the league – but now we need to improve our home form. We’ve got games now where we have the opportunity to do that.

“(Bolton) is a big, big game even though many will view it is as a game between two mid-table sides. But they will be in the same mood as us. This game is pivotal in terms of attacking the top ten. If we win this we can attack the top ten – if we don’t win this game then we’ve lost a big opportunity and the opportunity might be Europe.

“We’re on the verge of something exciting – these two games will decide whether we’ve got something to go for or we’re going to have a season where we’re just seeing things out. I don’t want that to happen.

“This (Bolton) is to keep the season alive – and I think we need the help of the fans to do that.” A bullish Pardew has clearly sensed that momentum is behind United after a worrying few weeks in the wake of the Andy Carroll sale.

Some feared that the loss of the England striker would demoralise and disrupt a squad that had leaned heavily on him for firepower, but those worries have dissipated somewhat after Leon Best and Peter Løvenkrands found themselves among the goals at St Andrew’s. And having emerged from a hectic period in decent shape, Newcastle now have the relative luxury of playing just one game a week from now until the season’s conclusion.

With Shola Ameobi’s return pencilled in for the Everton game and Hatem Ben Arfa and Dan Gosling (pictured left) both set to return before the end of the campaign, the potential is there to challenge the top ten. But, Pardew admits, it is up to the players to keep the club on the front foot.

“Football changes so quickly. I understand that one of the most important things is the Premier League is that you can’t lose momentum,” he said.

“If you lose it is very difficult to get it back – just look at good teams like Villa who have lost their momentum.

“We can’t think that if we take our foot off the gas that we won’t lose momentum because it happens. It can happen in a year.

Look at Everton, who finished seventh or sixth and they just cannot get it back this year. Their squad on paper should be ten points ahead of us – but it isn’t.”

Any lad's on here that were originally totally against the appointment? Must be starting to change your minds at least now?



P.S. I am still gutted about Chrissy and the way he went. But i think we fell on our feet with Pardew.

 

[Vuckic's Faces]

I was against it, but decided to give it a chance.

 

[simonbh7]

Like most fans I was not happy when Chris Hughton went, and was not impressed when I heard that Pardew was going to be given the job. It really looked like a case of "jobs for the boys".

I also still believe that he knew far more about Hughton's sacking than he says, but if you already knew Mike Ashley, and he tells you that he is going to sack the manager in the next few weeks and offers you the job, what are you supposed to say?

Once he was appointed manager though, I backed him, as I believe that we have to back any new manager. I wanted him to be a success, not for his sake or Mike Ashley's sake, but because it would mean that the club would be doing well. He seems to be achieving this and so I am more than happy that he is beginning to prove many of my initial fears to be wrong..

 

[toonpents]

The stories that came with Pardew's appointment put me off the guy, and at the time it certainly looked like a step backwards.

But so far AP's attitude has been first class, and he also seems to be tightening up an already strong back four (back to back away clean sheets)

As much as i admire and respect Chris Hughton and the work he did at the club, he was never comfortable with the press, something he admitted to himself on numerous occasions, and its my opinion that sometimes he left things unsaid.

AP seems to be a dab hand at the press work and certainly focuses the fans and more importantly the players on the upcoming games,

I predict a "rusty" first 10 minutes and then we'll get a good performance on Saturday

 

[SirBR]

Good positive interview making good points, we were aweful against Bolton at thier place.

But have players back which should have more than enough to either match or over come Bolton.

I see us getting something from this game.

 

[Alfie]

Kind of a risk in basically saying if we lose to Bolton we've got nothing to play for for the rest of the season. If we win half maybe 7 our remaining games I think that would get us in a Europa spot.

I think the real test comes in the Summer when we see if he can prise the Pie Man's wallet open, also if Graham Carr can find us a couple more Tiote-esque gems.
Still don't like the fact that he's so pally with MA & DL. But as many have said it was not Pardew's fault (as far as we know) that Hughton got sacked. And in his position if you were offered one of the top jobs in English football you wouldn't turn it down.

 

[Son of a pitch]

This story reminds me of Kevin Nolan saying we're capable of a good cup run. Let's hope Pardew's message of "we're capable of Europe" doesn't have the same effect that Nolan's did. (For those who haven't a clue what I'm on about, think back to the Stevenage match).

Either way, he's right. If the fans can get behind the team and emulate the noise level from the Arsenal match then I think we could well be on our way to 40 points quite quickly. After that who knows?

 

[NUFCaw]

I love a bit of ambition, don't think we'l get europe this season but there's no harm in aiming for it.

 

[Tiggyrimana]

Kind of a risk in basically saying if we lose to Bolton we've got nothing to play for for the rest of the season. If we win half maybe 7 our remaining games I think that would get us in a Europa spot.

I think the real test comes in the Summer when we see if he can prise the Pie Man's wallet open, also if Graham Carr can find us a couple more Tiote-esque gems.
Still don't like the fact that he's so pally with MA & DL. But as many have said it was not Pardew's fault (as far as we know) that Hughton got sacked. And in his position if you were offered one of the top jobs in English football you wouldn't turn it down.

This

 

[Donkey Toon]

Good stuff from Pardew. Might be aiming a bit high but if we fall a bit short that would still be a great finish for our first season back. Also important to keep the players challenging for something so they don't relax when (if) we reach the 40 point mark. Am liking his approach more and more.

 

[overseasTOON]

Nice interview and it's good to see that he's not looking at revenge for the heavy defeat earlier in the season as that would more than likely backfire on us and we'd play a game style that isn't ours.

As for his appointment?

I've been cautiously pessimistic since he arrived and will remain so until the start of next season when he's got a full pre-season under his belt and we can then evaluate what style he wants to play based on who he retains but also who he brings in.

If Mike wants to reassure us that Pardew is his appointment for the long term then he has to back his choice.

 

[Wein14]

I've been cautiously pessimistic since he arrived and will remain so until the start of next season when he's got a full pre-season under his belt and we can then evaluate what style he wants to play based on who he retains but also who he brings in.

If Mike wants to reassure us that Pardew is his appointment for the long term then he has to back his choice.

Spot on OT, i know most of these rumours going around will be total manure, but it is, somehow, giving me confidence that we are going to invest heavily.

Just hope its on Gervinho and Bendtner!!