Alan Pardew

[AgentAxeman 189]

Is he starting win you over yet?

 

No.

[Christmas Tree 4827]

DANNY SIMPSON today offered a fascinating insight to Alan Pardew’s now famous half-time team-talk that helped spark an incredible comeback against Arsenal.

 

Simpson also insisted that it was the loudest atmosphere he had ever heard at a football match.

 

The Chronicle understands that Pardew turned the air blue during the interval – and his rant at the break was actually heard loud and clear in the ARSENAL dressing room up the corridor at St James’ Park.

 

Pardew’s words of wisdom may not have landed a trophy, but his speech will go down in Toon history, with talk amongst United supporters in the aftermath rekindling memories for some of Joe Harvey’s famous “pack of cards” team-talk in the 1969 Fairs Cup final in Budapest.

 

Other inspirational comparisons may include Rafa Benitez’s gee-up for Liverpool in the 2005 Champions League final when his side came back from three down to win the European Cup against AC Milan.

 

Toon full-back Simpson said today: “We were a disgrace in the first half.

 

“The manager went mad at us, and he shouted at us.

 

“He told us that we needed to go out and show something for the fans who had stuck by us.

 

“We took it on board. That’s credit to the team and you have to respect the manager for getting a reaction out of us.

 

“One of the things he said was ‘forget the score and go out and show some pride’.

 

“We went out to show some pride and I think we did, to come back from four down against Arsenal is a credit to the lads.”

 

Simpson also tried to explain the Magpies’ woeful start to the game.

 

He said: “We said at the start of the match that we would try to take the game to them.

 

“We tried to, but we weren’t controlled with it.

 

“The idea was to go gung-ho from the start, but they scored two quick goals and when that happens it becomes an uphill task.

 

“We just wanted to get in at half-time. The gaffer said his piece and so did the staff and credit to the lads. They could have sulked, but we came back.

 

Simpson admits the Toon Army also left him taken aback after stirring up an incredible atmosphere throughout.

 

Stunned Arsenal players and fans looked bemused towards the end of the second half as Geordie fans roared their side on, even at four goals down.

 

Simpson added: “In the first half when we were 4-0 down, we could hear the fans quite rightly going mad, but they were also still getting behind us.

 

“Sometimes you want the ground to swallow you up, but we have characters in the dressing room and came back out.

 

“Even at 4-4 we nearly won it, but we still made sure we didn’t lose. In the last couple of games we’ve conceded late goals and we didn’t want to do it again.

 

“That was the loudest I’ve ever heard – even louder than against Sunderland. I will never forget it.

 

“Credit to the fans, once we got one goal they knew and we knew we had a chance.

 

It made Arsenal nervous. Joey Barton stayed cool, Leon Best scored again, which is great, and then the last goal was a great strike from Cheik.”

 

Meanwhile, United striker Shola Ameobi had surgery on his cheek injury today, and could be ruled out until April.

[Guest alex]

Not being churlish because I've given him credit for the team talk at HT but he has to take a fair bit of the rap for the first half performance too in that case.

[Hudson 0]

No better than JFK. Trotted out Ashley's line of never selling Carrol and then admitted he was just bluffing all along. And now he's softening up the fans about Tiote.

 

There's a reason Hughton was sacked and it wasn't down to the performance of the team. They knew he would never have stood for any of this.

 

Your'e a clown if you can't see through it CT

 

 

Agree with you J69, Which is a shame really. As things stand i looks like he could be a reasonably manger for our current finacial climate, but will always do what Ashley tell him to do.

 

Shame

[Christmas Tree 4827]

Not being churlish because I've given him credit for the team talk at HT but he has to take a fair bit of the rap for the first half performance too in that case.

 

According to Simpson the plan was Gung Ho attack by us from the off

 

I don't blame him too much for the start. That early goal was kick to the balls and by the time they had got themselves pulled together it was 3-0.

 

They were shell shocked after that first goal and little he could do from the line.

[Guest alex]

Not being churlish because I've given him credit for the team talk at HT but he has to take a fair bit of the rap for the first half performance too in that case.

 

According to Simpson the plan was Gung Ho attack by us from the off

 

I don't blame him too much for the start. That early goal was kick to the balls and by the time they had got themselves pulled together it was 3-0.

 

They were shell shocked after that first goal and little he could do from the line.

That's what my comment is based upon tbh. Those tactics were arguably to blame for Arsenal finding it so easy to play through us. I'm not having a massive go at him as there's more to it than that but I'm not jumping on the bandwagon because he chucked a few cups around the dressing room at HT. Any fucker would've done that and said go out there and play for pride. Like I said, he gets credit for putting a bit of fire in their bellies etc. but lets not get carried away.

[spongebob toonpants 4133]

I am genuinely a bit bemused at what to think at the moment about Pardew.

 

I was completely disgusted by his appointment, obviously he only got it out of cronyism, and to what extent he was complicit in undermining Houghton we can only guess.

 

However my initial belief that the dressing room would fragment, and all the good work and team spirit CH had generated would be destroyed proved unfounded, and to my mind we were, if anything, actually playing with more confidence-and had a bit more tactically than we had before. I remember thinking if Nolan and Barton are prepared to get behind him, then I should too

 

I took at face value that he believed Carrol wouldn't be sold until the summer, and I actually thought he looked pretty gutted at the outcome. His comments the other day about all the not for sale bluster being to try and ward clubs off seemed a bit wierd though.

 

I also can't understand why, if he knew he was on his way, or knew the injury wasn't about to clear up why he failed to bring in any cover. Having said that I think his "friendship" with Llambias wouldn't prevent him from being stitched up and lied to. Lets get real here a casino owner befriending you probably isn't a relationship so much as a money extraction technique. I don't actually know if he was also palsy with Ashley before this

 

I thought after the first half on Monday that the team spirit I had been pleasantly surprised by plainly hadn't been down to him after all, but the second half performance does seem to mean he deserves a lot of credit.

 

His comments on Tiote being sold if an offer came in were pretty depressing, but on the other hand I have long said if we had had more honesty about the financial situation from above it would have been easier to understand and support what was going on, upsetting as it might be.

 

So to sum up I have no idea if he is a stooge or a patsy, if he actually has any idea what the plans for the club are, or if he is being lied to himself. I don't know if his interviews are what he actually thinks or what he is being told to say. I don't know if he has pulled the squad together or they are doing it in spite of him.

 

I was speaking to a Wistham friend of mine the other day. His opinion of him was he was great until he wasn't - so that didn't help

 

I like him more than I thought I would, but then again that wouldn't be hard. The only thing I do know at worst he is a symptom and not the cause of the problems at the club.

[AmericanMag 0]

I am genuinely a bit bemused at what to think at the moment about Pardew.

 

I was completely disgusted by his appointment, obviously he only got it out of cronyism, and to what extent he was complicit in undermining Houghton we can only guess.

 

However my initial belief that the dressing room would fragment, and all the good work and team spirit CH had generated would be destroyed proved unfounded, and to my mind we were, if anything, actually playing with more confidence-and had a bit more tactically than we had before. I remember thinking if Nolan and Barton are prepared to get behind him, then I should too

 

I took at face value that he believed Carrol wouldn't be sold until the summer, and I actually thought he looked pretty gutted at the outcome. His comments the other day about all the not for sale bluster being to try and ward clubs off seemed a bit wierd though.

 

I also can't understand why, if he knew he was on his way, or knew the injury wasn't about to clear up why he failed to bring in any cover. Having said that I think his "friendship" with Llambias wouldn't prevent him from being stitched up and lied to. Lets get real here a casino owner befriending you probably isn't a relationship so much as a money extraction technique. I don't actually know if he was also palsy with Ashley before this

 

I thought after the first half on Monday that the team spirit I had been pleasantly surprised by plainly hadn't been down to him after all, but the second half performance does seem to mean he deserves a lot of credit.

 

His comments on Tiote being sold if an offer came in were pretty depressing, but on the other hand I have long said if we had had more honesty about the financial situation from above it would have been easier to understand and support what was going on, upsetting as it might be.

 

So to sum up I have no idea if he is a stooge or a patsy, if he actually has any idea what the plans for the club are, or if he is being lied to himself. I don't know if his interviews are what he actually thinks or what he is being told to say. I don't know if he has pulled the squad together or they are doing it in spite of him.

 

I was speaking to a Wistham friend of mine the other day. His opinion of him was he was great until he wasn't - so that didn't help

 

I like him more than I thought I would, but then again that wouldn't be hard. The only thing I do know at worst he is a symptom and not the cause of the problems at the club.

Good post. Couldn't agree more.

[Anorthernsoul 1221]

I will give it to the end of the season before casting final judgement.

[Christmas Tree 4827]

I am genuinely a bit bemused at what to think at the moment about Pardew.

 

I was completely disgusted by his appointment, obviously he only got it out of cronyism, and to what extent he was complicit in undermining Houghton we can only guess.

 

However my initial belief that the dressing room would fragment, and all the good work and team spirit CH had generated would be destroyed proved unfounded, and to my mind we were, if anything, actually playing with more confidence-and had a bit more tactically than we had before. I remember thinking if Nolan and Barton are prepared to get behind him, then I should too

 

I took at face value that he believed Carrol wouldn't be sold until the summer, and I actually thought he looked pretty gutted at the outcome. His comments the other day about all the not for sale bluster being to try and ward clubs off seemed a bit wierd though.

 

I also can't understand why, if he knew he was on his way, or knew the injury wasn't about to clear up why he failed to bring in any cover. Having said that I think his "friendship" with Llambias wouldn't prevent him from being stitched up and lied to. Lets get real here a casino owner befriending you probably isn't a relationship so much as a money extraction technique. I don't actually know if he was also palsy with Ashley before this

 

I thought after the first half on Monday that the team spirit I had been pleasantly surprised by plainly hadn't been down to him after all, but the second half performance does seem to mean he deserves a lot of credit.

 

His comments on Tiote being sold if an offer came in were pretty depressing, but on the other hand I have long said if we had had more honesty about the financial situation from above it would have been easier to understand and support what was going on, upsetting as it might be.

 

So to sum up I have no idea if he is a stooge or a patsy, if he actually has any idea what the plans for the club are, or if he is being lied to himself. I don't know if his interviews are what he actually thinks or what he is being told to say. I don't know if he has pulled the squad together or they are doing it in spite of him.

 

I was speaking to a Wistham friend of mine the other day. His opinion of him was he was great until he wasn't - so that didn't help

 

I like him more than I thought I would, but then again that wouldn't be hard. The only thing I do know at worst he is a symptom and not the cause of the problems at the club.

 

Aye, canny post.

 

I think bar Ferguson and Wegner, the days when a manager has a lot of say are long gone. Even at Chelsea the talk is that its the owner who bought and decided to play Torres against Liverpool, not the manager.

 

I think Pardew was probably telling the truth when he said he has assurances Carroll wouldnt be sold and continually saying "he wasnt for sale" was probably the best he could do.

 

In fairness it was the silly price and possible the injury that changed the situation.

[ChezGiven 0]

Doesnt that basically assume that Pardew is basically putting on Oscar winning performances in front of a live TV camera every few days with no slip ups or re-takes?

 

He cant be that good an actor.

[spongebob toonpants 4133]

Doesnt that basically assume that Pardew is basically putting on Oscar winning performances in front of a live TV camera every few days with no slip ups or re-takes?

 

He cant be that good an actor.

 

He basically admitted he had been lying about Carrol from the start, whether that is true or it was a bizzarre attempt at face saving, or he was told to say that who can tell.

 

 

 

Jerry, just remember, it's not a lie if you believe it

[ewerk 31201]

Pretty much what SBTP said.

[Anorthernsoul 1221]

Doesnt that basically assume that Pardew is basically putting on Oscar winning performances in front of a live TV camera every few days with no slip ups or re-takes?

 

He cant be that good an actor.

 

Basically.

[Dr Gloom 22148]

i don't blame pardew for taking the job but he hasn't entirely won me over. he knew what he was getting himself tinto when he signed the contract. he was so desperate for a decent job that he would work for any cunt. and our owners are cunts, no doubt.

 

his success in sustaining the team spirit and unity among the players we saw emerge under hughton has surprised me. his inability to pull off a good transfer window hasn't.

 

pardew's basically the perfect ashley manager - cheap, willing and grateful. it's like pulling a fat lass - they're so desperate to have someone interested in them and you know they're going to do they're all to please you.

[LoveTheBobby 1]

Doesnt that basically assume that Pardew is basically putting on Oscar winning performances in front of a live TV camera every few days with no slip ups or re-takes?

 

He cant be that good an actor.

 

It's the same bloke that was ploughing one of his players' birds and faced him daily .

 

Pulling the wool up here's a relative walk in the park .

[ChezGiven 0]

Doesnt that basically assume that Pardew is basically putting on Oscar winning performances in front of a live TV camera every few days with no slip ups or re-takes?

 

He cant be that good an actor.

 

It's the same bloke that was ploughing one of his players' birds and faced him daily .

 

Pulling the wool up here's a relative walk in the park .

 

Good point.

[Christmas Tree 4827]

Simon Birds view, published today (No doubt after reading Toontastic )

 

Why the last testing week has proved Pardew has what it takes to boss Newcastle

 

Alan Pardew did something quite unusual as his press conference ended on Saturday night.

 

With a great big smile on his face, he threw out his clenched his fists and roared: "Yes."

 

Displays of positive raw emotion by managers in front of reporters are rare. This one was a spontaneous show of relief, joy, and, perhaps, amazement at the end of seven days in which his managerial skills had been given toughest examination.

 

The past week has represented Pardew's "Welcome to Newcastle" moment.

 

 

Best player, Andy Carroll sold. His own vow to keep Carroll proving unsuccessful.

 

Tough questions on the club's ambition to deal with. A squad of players equally rocked by Carroll's departure to lift. A defeat at Fulham. Then 4-0 down against Arsenal in 26 minutes... before that now famous, and mood changing, fight-back for a draw on Saturday.

 

So how has he handled the madness?

 

Pardew's quote on Saturday night was a classic: "I don't know whether people are going to buy me a drink in town tonight.....or throw them at me! That's the sort of week it's been."

 

It encapsulated the intelligence and skill that Pardew has shown in tip-toeing through a diplomatic minefield since taking over from Chris Hughton.

 

He's taken the sting out difficult situations by being respectful about Hughton and his achievements. He's not come in and ripped up a system that needed tinkering rather than overhaul.

 

He's been eloquent answering questions about the club, and volunteered information he thinks we should know.

 

Clearly Pardew still has to work to win over fans with results and performances and rebuilding the squad with newly acquired wealth.

 

But those fans can be assured they have one of the better, more open communicators in the game at the helm, even after the Andy Carroll situation.

 

Last week Pardew faced one of the toughest press conferences he'll get from newspaper men in the region. Usually our managerial chats are good humoured. There is banter and discussion and we usually leave wiser, and with some sort of interesting tale to tell the fans.

 

But this was one occasion when the questions were spiky throughout. The North East had lost another star player, who we were told was going nowhere. Those who cared about the club, myself included, were far from happy about it.

 

Fans had revved us up with emailing and Twitter messages asking us to throw in some tough questions. Pardew, being the only public face of Newcastle United, was the man to cop it.

 

Here is one exchange:

 

Reporter: Alan on December 9 the first time we spoke to you said you'd had talks with Derek Llambias. You said: "talks about Andy's future were top of my agenda. Andy stays. That is what we talked about." Where does that leave your credibility now? We have repeated quotes right through January saying he stays, let's put it to bed one last time etc.

 

Pardew: Yeah, yeah yeah. What do want me to say? That he's for sale?

 

Reporter: Well can we believe anything you say, or the club ever says?

 

Pardew: Well I mean, what can I say?

 

(pause)

 

Reporter: No?

 

(pause)

 

Reporter: Well, that is the obvious conclusion that a lot of fans are drawing. That they can't believe the promises that are made from this football club.

 

Pardew: All I can say is that we knocked back so many bids for Andy, everyone was involved. I was adamant that he wasn't going to go until the extraordinary circumstances of yesterday.

 

Reporter: Does this show there is a natural ceiling on Newcastle's ambition? Because this deal proves that you can't keep and build around your best players like you said you wanted to?

 

Pardew: Well that is a problem to answer because we have sold Andy Carroll. I would like to strengthen this club and if I have to sell a player to do that you could argue that is the point of yesterday. The fee is enormous. I ain't had a chance to spend it but we have to spend it correctly in the summer to take the club forward."

 

It was hardly Jeremy Paxman versus Michael Howard, but you get the drift. To-the-point questions. But also decent, skillful answers in a difficult situation.

 

Despite being on the other side of the tape-recorder, we appreciated it was difficult a tough 20 minutes for Pardew.

 

When he promised Carroll wasn't for sale, I think he meant it, and believed it, and hated the thought of losing his best player. I am sure also it had been agreed with the owners that offers for Carroll would be rebuffed, hence his own public stance.

 

But did anyone ever anticipate a bid of £35million? Pardew should have given himself wriggle room by adding that every player, including Cristiano Ronaldo, has a price.

 

The next step is ensuring he gets the £35 million (in fees and wages, so we're told) to spend. He has been clever this time. He's on the record as saying he made a personal phone call to Mike Ashley, and that Ashley himself has promised the money will be there to rebuild.

 

Here is the quote to file away for the summer transfer window:

 

Pardew said: "There will be £35 million available and all of it will be spent, but it would be on fees AND wages. How can I now believe that is going to happen? I have got to believe it is going to happen. I spoke to Mike Ashley 15 minutes ago to clarify that. He is clear. We have to make sure we spend it correctly in the summer and to spend it properly."

 

So it is Ashley's pledge, not Pardew's. Pardew can't be hung if it doesn't come true. Which, Newcastle being Newcastle, it might not. Or, being optimistic, it might.

 

Come the summer we'll be running a Newcastle United totalliser, just like the sort they used to have on the Blue Peter Christmas appeal, detailing how much of the £35million has been spent.

 

It probably won't go far if it really does, like Pardew said, include wages too. In fact a couple of £7.5 million players, earning £50k a week over four years, and that's it gone.

 

Really it should, or course, be more than that. What about the £5 million in wages they've saved on Carroll's contract? Will that be added in?

 

Or the cash from TV money, if Newcastle stay in the Premier League. Will that boost the spending total - or is this summer spree only funded by Carroll?

 

If Pardew manages to send his spending through the £35million barrier he'll be clenching his fists and shouting: "Yes."

 

Until then he'll hopefully keep showing the genuine passion and appetite for the Newcastle job, despite the trying circumstances, that he has so far.

[Christmas Tree 4827]

Christmas Tree (Yesterday)

Seems very passionate and is obviously trying to do the best he can bearing in mind the restraints he's under.

 

 

Simon Bird (Today)

he'll hopefully keep showing the genuine passion and appetite for the Newcastle job, despite the trying circumstances.

 

Coincidence?

[ewerk 31201]

It probably won't go far if it really does, like Pardew said, include wages too. In fact a couple of £7.5 million players, earning £50k a week over four years, and that's it gone.

 

That's the important thing.

 

Given that 5 year contracts seem to be the norm at the club, for a player on £40k over 5 years, there's £10m of the £35m gone already.