Today is the first anniversary of Alan Pardew becoming manager of Newcastle United.
Alan Pardew – excellent job over the past year
Last year on this date, which fell on a Thursday, Alan was giving his first interview to the local press, and he came across very well indeed.
Alan had come on board after popular manager Chris Hughton had been unfairly sacked, but since then he’s taken Newcastle up to 3rd place in the Premier League, and currently the lads are in 6th position, just above Liverpool.
While he wasn’t initially welcomed by Newcastle fans, the good form of the team this season has made Alan Pardew an increasing favorite with the fans, and we now often here Alan Pardew’s Black And White Army chants from the crowd.
After taking over the team, he was very wise in not trying to change things too much last season, and he kept the ship steady until the end of the season and Newcastle finished in a very respectable 12th place.
But that was not before one of the most inspiring games Newcastle have ever played at St. James’ Park against Arsenal, when his half-time talk to the players will go down in the annals of Newcastle history.
The lads were 4-0 down after just 26 minutes, immediately following Andy Carroll’s move to Liverpool, and the TV commentators had given up and talking about that strange and purely English thing called damage limitation.
But nobody talked about damage limitation to Alan Pardew at half time, and he blasted his players for playing like they were sorry for themselves in front of the huge Geordie crowd.
The rest is history and our boys came out in the second half and did the impossible by leveling the scores at 4-4.
And who will ever forget that goal by Cheick Tiote in the 89th minutes when Cheick ran the 60 yard dash back to the Newcastle half in world record time, and the game made news around the world.
And Alan’s done very well in the two Sunderland derby games, by drawing the first one 1-1 last January, when Sunderland equalized in injury time and then beating Sunderland in August 1-0.
That game was won by a wonderful free-kick from Ryan Taylor – and by the way both games were away at the Stadium of Light.
Alan Pardew oversaw what turned out to be an excellent transfer window this summer when he overhauled the side, after losing four of his best players Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan, Jose Enrique and Joey Barton, none of which he wanted to lose.
Most managers would have used that as a potential good excuse, but not Alan, and the Londoner has done an amazing job this season.
And though we are now challenged because of a paper-thin squad, we would not bet against Alan Pardew keeping Newcastle in the top seven this season.
We were dead against Alan Pardew when he came in, but we have warmed to the man, not just because of his great professionalism, but for his undoubted coaching ability too.
And he has quickly grasped what Newcastle fans want, and what the Newcastle United club is all about – and in short he has brought back the Geordie pride to Newcastle on the football field.
It’s hard to think how any manager could have done better than Alan Pardew has done over this last twelve months.
Thanks Alan – and keep it up. 😀
115 comments so far
Ollieh51
Dec 7, 2011 at 4:48 PM
Comment #1Fantastic job so far Pards.
Few mistakes made if any really and has handled a very difficult position expertly.
Can’t say I know of many managers that would be able to cope without the stress showing on them?
(You watch, next week he’ll do a Houlier now!)
mattyNUFC
Dec 7, 2011 at 4:57 PM
Comment #2take a bow, pardew
….now drop raylor for santon 🙂
GeordieGerman
Dec 7, 2011 at 4:59 PM
Comment #3Congratulations and well done Alan.
Wouldn’t it be great if half time talks were recorded and released after a couple of years. Would love to know what was said in the dressing room when we were 0-4 down to Arsenal. I’ll probably have to wait till Barton writes his book.
GeordieTwo
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:07 PM
Comment #4He has done a brilliant job but how about some stats to back it up Ed? His record so far with us is played: 39 won: 15 drawn 14 lost 11, winning percentage: 38.5%. That’s according to Wikipedia and it can’t be exactly right because the game totals add up to 40! Considering where we were went he came in and how little money he has had to spend an incredible job (throw Carver and Carr into the same hat as they are a big part of the success).
NickeAlvaro
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:14 PM
Comment #5GeordieTwo lets just take that at face value and say he got 59 points or so. We would have finished 6th on last seasons table. Sounds lots better than a 38.5 win percentage eh?
Toon Tang
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:15 PM
Comment #6@GeordieTwo aye i dont think its 11 defeats. its less than that im sure. wiki is often wrong with stats side of things.
WWJBD
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:19 PM
Comment #7Has it really been a full year? By christ. I was in the great United States of America on the day wor lad Hughton was given the shaft and it ruined a full day of my holiday….I was just back in the UK when Pards was given the job and quite frankly that day was a real low
But to his credit he won me over fairly quickly, good talker, decent tactical sense, comes accross as a nice guy and give the impression of a well liked manager.
Helped a lot the way he came in as well very quiet and understated didnt give it the johnny big balls routine which helped with the disgusting way Hughton was treated
Decent job so far Pards lad but ur not a adopted geordie yet son…best keep plugging away fella and we might discuss those adoption paper in another 365 days
markmac
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:20 PM
Comment #8well said Ed, must admit i was a doubter when AP was first mentioned, but hes surprised us all. cant remember being so happy since the ‘entertainers’ days
GeordieTwo
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:21 PM
Comment #9Agree with 5 and 6. Yes the points total is actually very impressive. If we hadn’t lost Saylor for the season and Colo for maybe a month I would have said we could even match a 6th place finish this season. Now not so sure maybe 8th place? Don’t trust the owner to spend enough to keep us rolling along unfortunately. It’s going to be a makeshift defense for quite a while and then probably a cheap centre back in January (Ridgewell is the name most commonly offered up).
mattyNUFC
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:21 PM
Comment #10with cup games, maybe even preseason, it sounds about right (the defeats)
West_End_TooN
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:29 PM
Comment #11Hes doin a great job with the squad we have got 2 or 3 more players in and we will be sorted
on that a dunno why people are complainin about liam ridgewell a rate him me good at left back or center back and scores goals aswell like steven taylor just taylor took it to a diffrent level this season
Dannyo
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:33 PM
Comment #12Howay Alan, so good to have a decent manager in place again to take us forward.
Here’s hoping he can work some defensive magic in these rough times.
Belly
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:34 PM
Comment #13I didn’t agree with his appointment at the time but he has done a fantastic job these past 12 months. He talks very open an honestly to us and has shown superb managerial skills. I want him to at least see out his contract even if we have a disappointing season in the next few years, we need stability at this club. Far too many managers have come and gone in the past 15 years or so. I wouldn’t bet on Pards making us into a consistent top 6 team, where we belong might I add. Weather or not he can take us into the top four depends on financial investment. It’s great to see players respond to Pardew they all seem to have faith in his tactics. I love his passion for the club and the way he said he loving life in the north east on goals on Sunday at the weekend. Let’s hope that continues and that he can bring success and silverware that we so despieatly need.
WELL DONE ALAN! WE LOVE YOU.
WWJBD
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:36 PM
Comment #14WET (haha nice acronym)
I agree on Ridgewell, him Johnson and Dann were very good defenders for Birmingham in their relegation season. They are the rarest of things a club that were relegated with a good solid defence, their problem was scoring goals which the squad just couldnt do.
I would like Ridgewell come Jan, I would of prefered Johnson or Dann last summer like but cant be picky now.
Wouldnt be my only purchase in the defensive side though I must admit
Belly
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:37 PM
Comment #15I would love to see Eric Pieters next month. The guy is a class act.
Dannyo
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:51 PM
Comment #16@Belly
With you there mate, altho he has a broken foot currently, and if i remember correctly he’s out til the end of January.
We really need someone to step in…yesterday.
Otherwise, Pieters is my top choice, can’t remember having a poor experience with a Dutch defender in the prem.
Think Pieters would fit right in.
Marty-Toon
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:56 PM
Comment #17Done a great job and the passion is there to see on his face and in the team
Vest
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:58 PM
Comment #18I wasn’t to happy about Pards last December, but I have to confess, I like the guy 🙂
He has made me proud to be a Toon fan once again.
GO Pards ! ! ! !
GeordieGerman
Dec 7, 2011 at 5:58 PM
Comment #19Decisions, decisions. Which Manchester to watch tonight? HELP… !
Dannyo
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:02 PM
Comment #20@GG
Lol, i like neither, so i’ve decided to boycott 😛
roshan MAGPIE
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:06 PM
Comment #21I think its time to give KADAR and SANTON a chance and hope PEARCH wont get a yellow card at the starting of the game and then score an own goal
MNTOONARMY9
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:06 PM
Comment #22Interesting to watch the evolution of a manager/coach. In the United States, we have seen coaches struggle or have lackluster success early in thier careers only to finally figure out the winning formula later on. Of course it helps to have good talent to coach, but often good talent brings its own challenges (egos, media attention, raised expectations).
I get the sense Pardew had some success, but did not have an overwheming resume when he arrived. Perhaps he is following the pattern of
(1) percieved mediocre manager/coach makes mistakes
(2) learns from those mistakes
(3) refines his process, and
(4) with the right oppotunity and some talent does a good job.
I’d say Pardew has likely done better than all but one or two managers in the EPL.
dmac
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:07 PM
Comment #23I must admit i did the whole WTF reaction when we first or Pards but gave him a shot and i think he is doing a great job. Wish MA would back him a little further and hopefully he will in Jan. Our defence is in dire need of numbers. Bring in Pieters and Bassong and id be happy.
Dannyo
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:10 PM
Comment #24@dmac
It may not be so wrong what the media says, that MA probs has a trust issue due to previous buys and decisions by other managers.
Hopefully that is the case, and Pardew is doing a good job turning that thought around.
When i say hopefully, i mean that i hope it’s something as simple as that.
roshan MAGPIE
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:23 PM
Comment #25I would like to see simpson KADAR PEARCH SANTON but i guess PARDEw will play simpson PEARCH KADAR RAYLOR
bills-son
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:26 PM
Comment #26Pardew has done an absolutely outstanding job and what I liked about him right from the start was how well he spoke to the media and in turn how well he represented the club and especially us, the supporters.
That’s what Chris Hughton did, represented the club and us so well, and it was a big reason why Chris was so well liked by us all. One of the hardest jobs in management, any management,is to take over from a popular manager who has been sacked. Pardew has done that, kept his dignity, respected Hughton, but at the same time established his authority with the players.
The biggest compliment I can pay Pardew is that having hated his appopintment I would now hate to see him leave. Well done Alan, magnificent job.
GeordieGerman
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:37 PM
Comment #27Dannyo, great effin help that like.
Offkey
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:41 PM
Comment #28Pardew has done a fantastic job. Didn’t want him, actually thought he was the worst of a bad bunch linked with us.
HOW WRONG I WAS…
However, it seems that after a year the detractors are starting to voice ‘concerns’ over his squad management. I can understand if we all knew that Santon is ready for the prem and will outperform Raylor……but we dont…..I dont mind people’s opinions, but stating an opinion as fact and questioning Pardew’s judgement in the process seems (with his record) seriously strange.
WWJBD
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:47 PM
Comment #29GG
Watch the city game will be a better standard of football and City are box office all the time, Utd are hit and miss. Bayern are top draw where as Basel are the standard underdog.
Scrappy match watch Utd, pureist match watch City imo
GeordieGerman
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:48 PM
Comment #30think al watch Man City
GeordieGerman
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:49 PM
Comment #31WWJBD, Ta mate.
WWJBD
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:50 PM
Comment #32GG haha bet u were stunned fella a sensible answer from me
GeordieGerman
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:52 PM
Comment #33WWJBD, very rarely get anything else from you mate.
Rotonda heights
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:56 PM
Comment #34Yes, barring the continuing flawed love-in with Raylor at left back, pardew has otherwise done most things right.
I don’t see why we have to play perch CB or raylor LB.
Surely raylor(RB) Simmo, Kadar, Santon (LB) would do for now.
WWJBD
Dec 7, 2011 at 6:57 PM
Comment #35GG ah shucks u big charmer u. Is Super Mario playing to the Citedel tonight?
JackButler
Dec 7, 2011 at 7:02 PM
Comment #36Got to admit that I was left confused and angry when Pardew was given the job as our manager, but he has impressed the hell out of me and has brought far more to the club than I could have ever hoped for. The passion and commitment and team spirit is as strong as I’ve ever seen it and thats after loosing three massive players.
GeordieGerman
Dec 7, 2011 at 7:02 PM
Comment #37Joe Hart
Joleon Lescott
Vincent Kompany
Gaël Clichy
Stefan Savic
Yaya Touré
Gareth Barry
David Silva
Samir Nasri
Edin Dzeko
Sergio Agüero
Dannyo
Dec 7, 2011 at 7:02 PM
Comment #38Jeff Henderson back in Newcastle after his loan at Gateshead. Hows he as a player? He’s a CB, and has captained the reserves usually, until Kadar was given the honors when Hendo got that minor back injury, then he went on loan ofc.
Rotonda heights
Dec 7, 2011 at 7:03 PM
Comment #39west end toon
yes ridgewell scores goals, usually in his own net. ! Distinctly average player..
Would take Pieters and Mbiwa, even bassong back over him all day long,
JackButler
Dec 7, 2011 at 7:04 PM
Comment #40Heard Pieters is out until April with a broken foot/leg?
Toure on loan from City?