Alan Pardew is looking forward to the rest of the Premier League – there are 9 games left to play – and will try to get as many points as possible.
Alan Pardew – second season back is more difficult
Any talk of Europe is a little premature at the moment, since we are more concerned about just staying up, and hopefully not be dragged into a relegation battle, which we haven’t been in the first 29 games of the season, so let’s not start now. 😀
Alan is already planning his summer moves, and the scouting staff are in full swing at the moment, and will be out in force this coming weekend, with Newcastle having no fixtures.
Alan talked to the Evening Chronicle today:
“You have to say we are short on personnel right now.”
“I am looking forward to it, yes. But I’m also looking forward to the next nine games as well.”
“At the moment it’s all about us showing character and discipline in the remaining games which will go a long way towards next season.”
“It is something we have to show in the next nine games.”
As we mentioned yesterday, Newcastle have only missed two seasons of playing in the 19 seasons of the English Premier League, and we don’t think we are the typical promotion side.
But Alan is reminded of his time at West Ham, when he became manager back in 2003, and after he got them promoted back to the Premier League in 2005, they finished in 9th place in their first season.
But then they slumped badly the following season, and he was fired by the new Icelandic owners in December of 2006.
Alan continued:
“Believe me, the second year after promotion is always tougher.”
“You don’t have the initial burst of adrenalin after promotion and it is something we have to start thinking about now and laying the foundations.”
“The great character that we need to show in the next nine games is the same sort of stuff we’ll need in abundance next year.”
“We’re going to need every ounce of it. It is an important season for us.”
It’s going to be very interesting to see how many point the lads can garner in the last 9 league games of the season, because the last two home games and just one point have been very disappointing, to say the least.
But if we can get Joey Barton back for Stoke, we’re a much better team with the Liverpudlian in the side, and the players have never been short on guts and glory this season, that’s for sure, and that should be a massive advantage in the final run-in to this season.
If we can finish in the top 10 this season, we will be more than happy!
Comments welcome.
14 comments so far
supermacnumber9
Mar 8, 2011 at 1:41 PM
Comment #1unfortunatly what we can do and what we do do are miles apart at NUFC
Thump
Mar 8, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Comment #2No, we’ve shown we have character – we need to put the ball in the back of the net.
GeordieGerman
Mar 8, 2011 at 2:13 PM
Comment #3I’ll be happy with 4 point for every two games, the same points as the scum but a goal more. But a point a game and that is survival suppose that would do as well.
GAZ09
Mar 8, 2011 at 2:22 PM
Comment #4We need to be able to score a second goal, thats whats killing us
lewman
Mar 8, 2011 at 2:26 PM
Comment #5what are all these little faces ed, can we choose our own one
GAZ09
Mar 8, 2011 at 2:27 PM
Comment #6im not happy with my little face ed!
GeordieGerman
Mar 8, 2011 at 2:27 PM
Comment #7GAZ09, wasn’t it Keegan who said we need one goal more than the opposition?
Marty-Toon
Mar 8, 2011 at 2:55 PM
Comment #8Character doesn`t win ya games in the PL very often.
We don`t wanna be a team of just about making it over the line.
We have quality players but too many injured now and stupid individual mistakes that are costing us.
MA will have to strengthen with some GREEN
The Leazus End
Mar 8, 2011 at 3:37 PM
Comment #9we seemed to have coped pretty well so far in the prem ,
but all of a sudden i am a little nervy ( suppose that comes with supporting the toon)
i would hate to hit a wobly patch at thia stage.
the advantage we have is these players know what a relegation is all about and wouldnt want it again
pearceet
Mar 8, 2011 at 3:44 PM
Comment #10what can keep us out of the relegation scrap is the ability of our players to perform in the EPL, character can only get you so far
GeordieTwo
Mar 8, 2011 at 5:00 PM
Comment #11We also need to be able to hold on to a lead at home. We often score first but then allow the opposition to reply and sometimes go on and score a second. At home we should be overpowering teams below us not losing. Bring in a class striker, play Ranger, more, sign Jose to a decent contract commensurate with his value to the team. Same with Barton. Stop the nonsense Ashley. Pay good money for our core players and bring in a few more quality players and we can get into Europe.
spanishtoon
Mar 8, 2011 at 6:37 PM
Comment #12Newcastle are consistently inconsistent http://www.nufcnews.com/?p=209 apart from leon best at the moment of course!!
dave 1961
Mar 8, 2011 at 11:05 PM
Comment #13when was the last time we has 8 or 9 games left to play and we had to play stoke, Liverpool, Aston villa. the it feels like ground hog day all over again.
we need 2 wins.
Spotlight Kid
Mar 9, 2011 at 7:21 AM
Comment #14‘Alan talked to the Evening Chronicle today…’
…and yesterday and the day before that and he also rang them up Sunday morning after he thought of some other excuse after talking to them on Saturday about why he felt we weren’t that bad but still disappointing compared to his forecast on Friday which itself was on update on Thursday…..
Easier to keep him in the Chronic broom cupboard I would have thought? Maybe safer for the team too! Let him out again when we have 45 points, and not a moment sooner.