Alan Pardew seeks revenge against Liverpool
New Newcastle manager Alan Pardew will be looking to settle a four year old score, when he faces Liverpool at St. James’ Park in his first game in charge.
Pardew was denied his finest hour as a manager by the Reds when Steven Gerrard snatched a late equaliser, as Liverpool went on to win the 2006 FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. West Ham were leading 3-2 in stoppage time before England
international Steven Gerrard leveled the score in dramatic fashion, as Liverpool went on to win the final on penalties.
The Newcastle boss believes that he owes Liverpool revenge, and is looking to level the score this weekend. However Liverpool have rediscovered some of their old form of late, and are finally putting together a decent run of results.
As a player Alan Pardew has happier memories against Liverpool, when his extra time goal gave Crystal Palace a surprise victory over the Reds in the semi-final of the FA Cup, but the eagles eventually lost the final to Manchester United.
Pardew said, "I have had a kind of chequered career with that club (Liverpool). It's funny, they always seem to turn up for me, and here we are again.''
The atmosphere at St. James’ Park will be very different to what Alan Pardew is used to this weekend. Many fans are angry at the boards’ decision to sack Chris Hughton, who propelled Newcastle back into the Premier League amidst a lot of off-field
problems. Even some players expressed their shock and disappointment at Hughton’s sudden sacking.
Many supporters are expected to direct taunts and accusations at owner Mike Ashley and Managing Director Derek Llambias for sacking Chris Hughton, who was a favorite amongst the Toon faithful so unceremoniously.
The sacking wasn’t Pardew’s fault but he won’t be a popular man at Newcastle either, as he will be expected to take the club even further than Hughton did. Pardew however remains positive that he can prove his detractors wrong by introducing a positive
brand of football at Newcastle, and will hope that the team’s performances will change the attitude of fans towards him.
Pardew said, "I have always thought that fans of the teams I have managed have enjoyed my style. I have always been the type, even when I play against dominant teams, teams who have more possession than us and can keep the ball better, who wants us
to be on the front foot and looking to win the game. I have managed to get some decent results against some of the top clubs.”
The Newcastle manager understands that he has taken the reigns of a club with a rich history and a great fan following, and he will have to adapt quickly to ensure the Geordie continue their impressive run this season. The key to a top-of-the-table
finish this term will definitely depend on their home form, which Pardew will look to improve against Liverpool.
Pardew will be hoping that midfielders Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton, who have been vital to the side’s 12th place push this season, will make their comebacks during the game. Danny Guthrie suffered an ankle injury in Newcastle’s 3-1 loss at West Brom
last week, but thankfully the injury didn’t turn out to be as serious as was initially feared, and he will be expected to feature in the starting XI.
Alan Pardew will however be without the services of Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson, who are yet to complete their three game bans. Ryan Taylor is also a long-term absentee with a shoulder injury.
Liverpool have picked them up recently and are finally recording some good results.
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