Crystal Palace have their very own Pardiola

18 April 2015 21:14

OK, maybe not quite as good as Guardiola, but perhaps Alan Pardew is a 'bit better' than some people think?

He has few proponents in the media, or elsewhere, but in terms of his overall record in the Premier League, Alan Pardew’s win percentage of 37.8% is superior to many managers with better reputations, including Sam Allardyce, Roy Hodgson, Tony Pulis and Harry Redknapp. When you look at the records of managers who have managed at least 100 Premier League games only four Englishmen – Roy Evans, John Gregory, Kevin Keegan and the late great Bobby Robson - have a better win percentage.

When Pardew took charge of Newcastle United for the final time back in December, in a 3-2 win over Everton, the Magpies were ninth with 26 points from 19 games. Crystal Palace, at the same stage, were in the relegation zone along with Burnley and Leicester City, struggling to pick up points following Neil Warnock's sacking. The 53-year-old Pardew then decided to leave Tyneside and return 'home' to Selhurst Park. Since then, Palace have taken 25 points from their last 13 games – sixteen more than John Carver and Newcastle have picked up in that time. The Eagles now have 42 points and are perched comfortably in mid-table, while nose-diving Newcastle have 35 points and are sitting two places below Palace in the table.

As a result, 'Team Pardew' have now picked up a combined total of 51 points from 32 games in the Premier League this season – only the top seven can beat that.

Since taking charge at Crystal Palace, Pardew has won eight of 13 Premier League games, drawing one and losing four – pretty much Champions League form. A case for Pardiola to be considered as the Premier League manager of the year…

Source: DSG