Alan Pardew

[Wullie]

Course the interviewer must have asked him what he thought of Shola, it's the question on everyone's lips. FFS.

 

When does an interviewer ever do that? Did he ask him about all the players? Did Pardew give ratings?

[Mick]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/jan/03/alan-pardew-newcastle-manager

Why Alan Pardew seems safe despite Newcastle's nightmare season

 

The Magpies have lost nine of their last 11 league games, but there are no calls for the manager's head. There are plenty of good reasons

 

        Louise Taylor

        The Guardian, Thursday 3 January 2013 21.59 GMT

        Jump to comments (12)

 

 

As Alan Pardew acknowledges, his Newcastle United side's run of nine defeats in their last 11 Premier League games is "awful" but despite relegation worries and the impending departure of leading scorer Demba Ba to Chelsea, there are no calls for the manager's head on Tyneside, no talk of 'crisis'. Although very much at odds with the club's turbulent image, such understanding is perhaps explained by the healthy stock of plausible answers to almost every question asked of Pardew's regime.

 

Why are fans not protesting?

 

A few boos greeted the final whistle when Newcastle were beaten 2-1 by Everton – on Wednesday but generally supporters recognise that Pardew has been undone by a series of injuries to key players including Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye. Allied to a lack of necessary investment last summer and Europa League-induced fatigue, it is a toxic mix. "Our fans are more knowledgeable than they're given credit for," says Pardew. "They've been very patient and we appreciate that. When you look at the teams we're putting out and the team we could put out they're a million miles apart. We're in an unprecedented year in terms of the blows we've taken. I think you start getting questions asked if you get injury after injury in training, but we haven't had that. We've had injuries in games where people are stretched."

 

What about Pardew's ego?

 

In his younger days the current LMA manager of the year could be a bit brash and full of himself, but he really does seem to have changed. These days his ego is well disguised, his words carefully measured and he works assiduously on the training pitch, devoting hours to meticulously detailed coaching and individual chats. He is virtually the only manager to have handled Ben Arfa successfully and the majority of an extremely diverse, multinational and multicultural squad respect and like him.

 

Are there enough British players in the dressing room?

 

There have possibly been times recently when the Spanish-speaking captain Fabricio Coloccini has struggled to make himself fully heard in a predominantly French-speaking dressing room dominated by Cabaye and the departing Ba. Overall, though, morale appears surprisingly good. Local boys Shola Ameobi and Steven Taylor are powerful, positive influences, the squad enjoy regular international theme days and Newcastle's Muslim players are comfortable with praying at a training ground far less laddish than in previous eras. "Everyone's working hard for each other and it's just little things that are going wrong," says the goalkeeper, Tim Krul. "Last year everything went for us, this year we're getting smacked in the face. We're in a massive battle now but the manager has shown trust in us; that trust is very important to us and we want to repay him."

 

Why are they playing so many long balls and how can Mathieu Debuchy fit in?

 

Pardew's mantra last season was "rhythmic passing" but this autumn Newcastle hit more long passes than any other Premier League side. It is partly explained by the fact that, since August, Cabaye and Cheik Tioté - now away at the Africa Cup of Nations - have barely played together in a central midfield they once controlled and deliveries from defence have often been poor. Pardew trusts the France right-back, a £5.5m arrival from Lille, will rectify matters. "Debuchy will improve our distribution," he says. "It was a difficult conversation to explain our situation to him. He thought we were going to be top eight but he understands that if we can get our best team out, there's no doubt we've got a great side."

 

Is Pardew's eight-year contract keeping him in a job?

 

No. It is understood that dismissal would guarantee Newcastle's manager one year's salary but Derek Llambias, the club's managing director, has said he is "entitled to a bad season" and there is an acknowledgement that the squad was not bolstered adequately last summer. "Money's tight here," says Pardew who really needs a new centre half as well as Ba's attacking successor. "But of course Mike [Ashley, the club's owner] has been supportive – and he has to be even more supportive in this window to find the extra money we need to replace Demba." Even so, Pardew will not want to test Ashley's patience by losing forthcoming games against Norwich City, Reading and Aston Villa.

I agree with the majority of this article, maybe not the bit about Debuchy be solution to all our problems, but a good read overall

Quite a bit of it is horse plop actually.

[Mick]

Course the interviewer must have asked him what he thought of Shola, it's the question on everyone's lips. FFS.

 

When does an interviewer ever do that? Did he ask him about all the players? Did Pardew give ratings?

[Cajun]

Course the interviewer must have asked him what he thought of Shola, it's the question on everyone's lips. FFS.

 

When does an interviewer ever do that? Did he ask him about all the players? Did Pardew give ratings?

 

Could be something to do with us having to leave our leading scorer out at the last minute and replace him with Shola.

 

Obviously that would be out of the question.

[Varadi]

Course the interviewer must have asked him what he thought of Shola, it's the question on everyone's lips. FFS.

 

When does an interviewer ever do that? Did he ask him about all the players? Did Pardew give ratings?

 

Could be something to do with us having to leave our leading scorer out at the last minute and replace him with Shola.

 

Obviously that would be out of the question.

 

Could be something in that like.

 

I also like the idea that all Shola needs to improve his performances is a bit of criticism - if that was true the comments he'll have heard from the crowd over the years would've had him eclipsing Pele by now!

 

[Elliottman]

Doesnt matter what he says at the minute, some are jumping on every word. Bit fucking pathetic really.

[Guest firetotheworks]

Not criticism, the threat of him not playing/when he looks like he's trying to prove something. All the interviews that he has around the time of his form always centre around him saying he wants to show his quality and so on.

[Guest Eggenberger]

I hate the whole 'well what's he supposed to say?' angle. It's f***ing stupid. Of course he isn't going to berate his players, but then he doesn't have to say anything at all, does he?

 

Aye its up there with the "who can we get who will do better?" when someone calls for Pardews head. Just an incredibly lazy position to have, feet firmly on the table and a "we are shit, deal with it" attitude.

Fucking dream a little

[Guest Eggenberger]

Doesnt matter what he says at the minute, some are defending him no matter what he churns out. Bit f***ing pathetic really.

[Wullie]

Jumping on every word.

 

If he's going to say that Shola was terrific against Everton then what exactly do you expect? Maybe he should say Williamson reminded him of Baresi to give him a boost, or say Danny Simpson makes Debuchy look piss poor, or say our form is fantastic and that we're closing in on the title race?

 

I don't understand this attitude that seems to promote the manager saying ridiculous things in public, as if it's a good thing, or because "everyone does it", even though they don't.

 

If someone on here said the things about Shola that Pardew does, they'd be seen as a bit mental. The manager makes Cronky look like Ameobi's arch nemesis.

[Elliottman]

Doesnt matter what he says at the minute, some are defending him no matter what he churns out. Bit f***ing pathetic really.

 

I see what you did there, very clever how you can use the Internet.

[Guest Tyson]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/jan/03/alan-pardew-newcastle-manager

Why Alan Pardew seems safe despite Newcastle's nightmare season

 

The Magpies have lost nine of their last 11 league games, but there are no calls for the manager's head. There are plenty of good reasons

 

        Louise Taylor

        The Guardian, Thursday 3 January 2013 21.59 GMT

        Jump to comments (12)

 

 

As Alan Pardew acknowledges, his Newcastle United side's run of nine defeats in their last 11 Premier League games is "awful" but despite relegation worries and the impending departure of leading scorer Demba Ba to Chelsea, there are no calls for the manager's head on Tyneside, no talk of 'crisis'. Although very much at odds with the club's turbulent image, such understanding is perhaps explained by the healthy stock of plausible answers to almost every question asked of Pardew's regime.

 

Why are fans not protesting?

 

A few boos greeted the final whistle when Newcastle were beaten 2-1 by Everton – on Wednesday but generally supporters recognise that Pardew has been undone by a series of injuries to key players including Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye. Allied to a lack of necessary investment last summer and Europa League-induced fatigue, it is a toxic mix. "Our fans are more knowledgeable than they're given credit for," says Pardew. "They've been very patient and we appreciate that. When you look at the teams we're putting out and the team we could put out they're a million miles apart. We're in an unprecedented year in terms of the blows we've taken. I think you start getting questions asked if you get injury after injury in training, but we haven't had that. We've had injuries in games where people are stretched."

 

What about Pardew's ego?

 

In his younger days the current LMA manager of the year could be a bit brash and full of himself, but he really does seem to have changed. These days his ego is well disguised, his words carefully measured and he works assiduously on the training pitch, devoting hours to meticulously detailed coaching and individual chats. He is virtually the only manager to have handled Ben Arfa successfully and the majority of an extremely diverse, multinational and multicultural squad respect and like him.

 

Are there enough British players in the dressing room?

 

There have possibly been times recently when the Spanish-speaking captain Fabricio Coloccini has struggled to make himself fully heard in a predominantly French-speaking dressing room dominated by Cabaye and the departing Ba. Overall, though, morale appears surprisingly good. Local boys Shola Ameobi and Steven Taylor are powerful, positive influences, the squad enjoy regular international theme days and Newcastle's Muslim players are comfortable with praying at a training ground far less laddish than in previous eras. "Everyone's working hard for each other and it's just little things that are going wrong," says the goalkeeper, Tim Krul. "Last year everything went for us, this year we're getting smacked in the face. We're in a massive battle now but the manager has shown trust in us; that trust is very important to us and we want to repay him."

 

Why are they playing so many long balls and how can Mathieu Debuchy fit in?

 

Pardew's mantra last season was "rhythmic passing" but this autumn Newcastle hit more long passes than any other Premier League side. It is partly explained by the fact that, since August, Cabaye and Cheik Tioté - now away at the Africa Cup of Nations - have barely played together in a central midfield they once controlled and deliveries from defence have often been poor. Pardew trusts the France right-back, a £5.5m arrival from Lille, will rectify matters. "Debuchy will improve our distribution," he says. "It was a difficult conversation to explain our situation to him. He thought we were going to be top eight but he understands that if we can get our best team out, there's no doubt we've got a great side."

 

Is Pardew's eight-year contract keeping him in a job?

 

No. It is understood that dismissal would guarantee Newcastle's manager one year's salary but Derek Llambias, the club's managing director, has said he is "entitled to a bad season" and there is an acknowledgement that the squad was not bolstered adequately last summer. "Money's tight here," says Pardew who really needs a new centre half as well as Ba's attacking successor. "But of course Mike [Ashley, the club's owner] has been supportive – and he has to be even more supportive in this window to find the extra money we need to replace Demba." Even so, Pardew will not want to test Ashley's patience by losing forthcoming games against Norwich City, Reading and Aston Villa.

I agree with the majority of this article, maybe not the bit about Debuchy be solution to all our problems, but a good read overall

Quite a bit of it is horse plop actually.

 

Agreed, particularly the section outlining the effect Cabaye's absence has had on the passing game ie. the most prolific longball team in the PL.

 

When fit (this season) Cabaye has been just as guilty as Williamson, Simpson etc. So it's a build-up pattern of play which has been drilled into them, on that ONE day the team actually works on the attacking side of the game

 

 

 

[Elliottman]

Jumping on every word.

 

If he's going to say that Shola was terrific against Everton then what exactly do you expect? Maybe he should say Williamson reminded him of Baresi to give him a boost, or say Danny Simpson makes Debuchy look p*ss poor, or say our form is fantastic and that we're closing in on the title race?

 

I don't understand this attitude that seems to promote the manager saying ridiculous things in public, as if it's a good thing, or because "everyone does it", even though they don't.

 

If someone on here said the things about Shola that Pardew does, they'd be seen as a bit mental. The manager makes Cronky look like Ameobi's arch nemesis.

 

If we were sitting 5th you would barley bat an eyelid at him praising one of his players. I understand if he was giving the whole 'Thank Mr Ashley' talk, but he said he thought Shola had a good game, big deal - really?

[Guest Eggenberger]

He is the worst "speaker"  we have had as a manager,  people having a go at his interviews when we are in the relegation quagmire is alot more understandable than taking the opposite position tbh.

[Guest Eggenberger]

Jumping on every word.

 

If he's going to say that Shola was terrific against Everton then what exactly do you expect? Maybe he should say Williamson reminded him of Baresi to give him a boost, or say Danny Simpson makes Debuchy look p*ss poor, or say our form is fantastic and that we're closing in on the title race?

 

I don't understand this attitude that seems to promote the manager saying ridiculous things in public, as if it's a good thing, or because "everyone does it", even though they don't.

 

If someone on here said the things about Shola that Pardew does, they'd be seen as a bit mental. The manager makes Cronky look like Ameobi's arch nemesis.

 

If we were sitting 5th you would barley bat an eyelid at him praising one of his players. I understand if he was giving the whole 'Thank Mr Ashley' talk, but he said he thought Shola had a good game, big deal - really?

 

And? Last season our results papered over the cracks, I spoke to quite alot of people who voiced concern over our playing style and said it wasnt sustainable - but how can you argue with the results at the time?

Quite a bit of water has passed under the bridge since then,  are we not in a position to re-evaluate yet?

 

 

[Guest TCD23]

Jumping on every word.

 

If he's going to say that Shola was terrific against Everton then what exactly do you expect? Maybe he should say Williamson reminded him of Baresi to give him a boost, or say Danny Simpson makes Debuchy look p*ss poor, or say our form is fantastic and that we're closing in on the title race?

 

I don't understand this attitude that seems to promote the manager saying ridiculous things in public, as if it's a good thing, or because "everyone does it", even though they don't.

 

If someone on here said the things about Shola that Pardew does, they'd be seen as a bit mental. The manager makes Cronky look like Ameobi's arch nemesis.

 

If we were sitting 5th you would barley bat an eyelid at him praising one of his players. I understand if he was giving the whole 'Thank Mr Ashley' talk, but he said he thought Shola had a good game, big deal - really?

 

Yes it is a big deal, because if after watching that match he though Shola genuinely played well, we might as well start booking our tickets to Nottingham now.

[Elliottman]

Jumping on every word.

 

If he's going to say that Shola was terrific against Everton then what exactly do you expect? Maybe he should say Williamson reminded him of Baresi to give him a boost, or say Danny Simpson makes Debuchy look p*ss poor, or say our form is fantastic and that we're closing in on the title race?

 

I don't understand this attitude that seems to promote the manager saying ridiculous things in public, as if it's a good thing, or because "everyone does it", even though they don't.

 

If someone on here said the things about Shola that Pardew does, they'd be seen as a bit mental. The manager makes Cronky look like Ameobi's arch nemesis.

 

If we were sitting 5th you would barley bat an eyelid at him praising one of his players. I understand if he was giving the whole 'Thank Mr Ashley' talk, but he said he thought Shola had a good game, big deal - really?

 

And? Last season our results papered over the cracks, I spoke to quite alot of people who voiced concern over our playing style and said it wasnt sustainable - but how can you argue with the results at the time?

Quite a bit of water has passed under the bridge since then,  are we not in a position to re-evaluate yet?

 

We're talking about a comment about Shola, not the position the club is in.

 

“I thought Shola was terrific. He wasn’t in the starting line-up when we did the team, but he came in, and I was proud of him.

 

That one line is such a big deal?

 

 

[Guest firetotheworks]

If we were sitting 5th, one of two things would be happening. 1. Shola wouldn't be playing. 2. Shola would be playing well enough to warrant the praise.

 

Neither are true.

[Tiresias]

Yeah he's an idiot in the press and it makes me angry but what happens on the pitch is much much more aggravating, ultimately I can shrug off silly media remarks

[Cajun]

Jumping on every word.

 

If he's going to say that Shola was terrific against Everton then what exactly do you expect? Maybe he should say Williamson reminded him of Baresi to give him a boost, or say Danny Simpson makes Debuchy look piss poor, or say our form is fantastic and that we're closing in on the title race?

 

I don't understand this attitude that seems to promote the manager saying ridiculous things in public, as if it's a good thing, or because "everyone does it", even though they don't.

 

If someone on here said the things about Shola that Pardew does, they'd be seen as a bit mental. The manager makes Cronky look like Ameobi's arch nemesis.

 

That's the difference though isn't it?  Pardew is talking to the press, not just ranting off on and internet forum.

 

 

[Wullie]

So because it's in public, he's ok to say things that make him look incredibly stupid?

[Cajun]

No, people just need to take the comments with a pinch of salt and see them for what they are

 

 

[Guest Eggenberger]

So because it's in public, he's ok to say things that make him look incredibly stupid?

 

appearently. And he maybe he was asked specifically if he thought Shola did well and if he was proud of him?

[Guest Eggenberger]

No, people just need to take the comments with a pinch of salt and see them for what they are

 

and what are they then?

[Mole_Toonfan]

No, people just need to take the comments with a pinch of salt and see them for what they are