Alan Pardew speaks out in support of Stoke boss Mark Hughes ahead of clash
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has spoken out in support of Stoke boss Mark Hughes after the latter was handed a Football Association charge of improper conduct.
Pardew does not believe officials are consistent when it comes to reprimanding managers on the touchline at games. He voiced his opinion after Hughes was sent to the stands during Stoke's 4-0 defeat to Tottenham last weekend for leaving his technical area while protesting a decision.
The Potters have since expressed concerns about inconsistencies shown by match officials towards managers and Pardew - who faces opposite number Hughes when the two clubs meet in the Premier League on Sunday - agreed there must be clearer guidance from those in charge.
He said: "The new managers - (Antonio) Conte, (Jurgen) Klopp - are allowed to run around and some of us aren't given quite as much licence and Mark Hughes was perhaps referencing that.
"I think last weekend the fourth official was very quick, I had stepped out of the box by six inches and he dragged me back in and told me off.
"It is almost like you cannot come out of that box, which seems a bit ridiculous to me. I can understand that we have to set an example but we are emotional people and we want to win."
Stoke are at the bottom of the Premier League as they travel to Selhurst Park on Sunday with just one point from a draw on the opening day of the season against Middlesbrough but Pardew does not believe they are going to be in trouble come the end of the season.
He said: "I think they have started okay but they have had some tough fixtures.
"Mark Hughes is a great manager and what he has done there to change their style is for all to see. They will be absolutely fine, they have a great squad and a great manager."
Palace struggled with their form at home last season winning just six games at home but since August the Eagles have won one, drawn one and lost one at Selhurst Park in all competitions and Pardew is hopeful the work they have put in over the summer is starting to pay off.
He said: "We haven't been brilliant at home but our form over the last 10 games has improved slightly. We need to take that forward and get the win.
"We have tried to analyse what we don't do well at home and what we do well.
"Some of the things we have put right but the most important thing is making it difficult for the opposition to get a result and at times we have made it a little bit too easy.
"It is about keeping the momentum, it is very difficult in any Premier League game."
Hughes stressed his confidence the tide will soon be turning for his side.
"It is maybe to do with the fixtures that have been thrown at us, along with not dealing with certain elements of the game you have to," Hughes said ahead of Sunday's trip.
"We haven't as yet been able to put together a really solid 90-minute Premier League performance.
"That's to do with the opposition not allowing you to play the game you want, and with early-season form - we have a number of players who are maybe not at the level we know they are capable of.
"You need virtually everybody at their top level to get results in the Premier League and at the moment, we've had two or three not quite at the level they need to be.
"But that will change and change very quickly, we feel."
Mame Diouf and Glen Johnson look set to be available for the clash with Palace, who have four points from their first four games.
Forward Diouf and full-back Johnson have been sidelined by hamstring and thigh injuries respectively, but both have been in training this week.
Winger Xherdan Shaqiri remains out due to his calf problem.
Source: PAR
