The local papers today are full of interviews with Alan Pardew about the very poor position Newcastle are in, after a terrible year so far, but the Newcastle manager is making it clear to fans that he will not give up, and will face things head on.
Loic Remy – back today hopefully
A fifth defeat on the trot today at home to lowly Swansea could be the tipping point, and things could get very ugly if Newcastle again play poorly and lose – which has been far too common this year.
This is what Pardew told the Shields Gazette today:
“This is tough, as this city lives and breathes its football,” “There are 52,000 at St James’s Park every other week, and that makes it very, very difficult.”
“I’m not the sort of person to hide or run away. I face it full on.” “I hope they back the team with their normal support, which is absolutely brilliant.”
“I’ll take responsibility if we win, lose or draw.” “We’ve got to live it with, and it’s tough being the manager of this football club with four defeats.”
“I had a similar situation at West Ham after we got beat in the play-off final by Crystal Palace.” “We had a run of games in the Championship where we didn’t do well, and there was real pressure on.”
“I’ve been in tough situations before.”
That experience should stand Pardew in good stead, but a manager’s job is all about getting results, and we haven’t done that too well over the last four months.
Today could be a pivotal game in Alan Pardew’s career at Newcastle and from the things he has been saying in the press today – it’s clear he knows that.
We should have Remy and Debuchy back, and that should help. and of course in our final four games we play two teams fighting relegation – Swansea and Cardiff – and two teams fighting for a top four place – Liverpool and Arsenal – so our opposition is under pressure too.
But another loss would be a disaster today.
Comments welcome.
Note: Craig Finnigan is a Newcastle fan and graduated from Newcastle College in 2011, and he has created a one-off key ring, and all the profits will go to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
You can view and buy the specially designed key ring here.
Thanks.
5 comments so far
Marty-Toon
Apr 19, 2014 at 8:52 AM
Comment #1Teams that struggle for points usually get them at St.James,I’m expecting another dour loss today.
We should however be able to beat Cardiff at our place.
Swansea will have us chasing shadows even though they’re not playing like they used to.
Would love to see us play well,put up a fight and win a couple of games but don’t see any of that in the team since Remy got injured
Laurent Robert 32
Apr 19, 2014 at 8:57 AM
Comment #2Alan, do you mean those record run of defeats that inflicted onto West Han fans just like you’re doing here? Yes, you do.
Jeff from Benwell
Apr 19, 2014 at 9:00 AM
Comment #3Newcastle are ninth in the Premier League and assured of top-flight football next season. They are two points behind Southampton, who are perceived to have had an excellent season; their manager, Mauricio Pochettino,
has been touted as a possible replacement to Tim Sherwood at Tottenham.
Newcastle have won one more game than Southampton this season –
A defeat would be horribly bad- but really far from a disaster
Marty-Toon
Apr 19, 2014 at 9:09 AM
Comment #4Jeff
When looking at the table it looks ok.
-15 goals difference,even some of the lower half teams have a better average.
The football being played on the field is a joke.
None of our CB’S have scored in several seasons,LOL.
Set plays are non dangerous.
Ok we are not in trouble because we had a decent first half of the year but since Cabaye left it’s been ugly.
Had we kept playing as we did and kept him then we’d probably be challenging for fifth
toonluvva
Apr 19, 2014 at 4:49 PM
Comment #5Just a couple of things on todays match.
1. A defeat is quite likely today.
2. Mr Ashley WILL NOT SACK Pardew even if, when, we lose today.
Simple as.