Good start for Alan Pardew but now for the hard bit as new boss must win over Newcastle fans

10 December 2010 07:53
Although sitting next to Mike Ashley and his sidekick Derek Llambias may not be everyone's idea of the best seat in the house, most modern managers usually like one game of blaming someone else before getting down to business. [LNB]You know the drill. Wait for an easy fixture, then take the reins. [LNB]Alan Pardew will be in Newcastle's dug-out as their new manager when Liverpool arrive in the North East tomorrow - the same Liverpool who robbed him of an FA Cup final victory as West Ham's precocious manager. At least Steven Gerrard isn't fit. [LNB] Now for the hard work: Alan Pardew faces a testing start to his Newcastle era against Liverpool this Saturday[LNB]Pardew said all the right things in his first day in the job yesterday after succeeding Chris Hughton. Now for the hard part. [LNB]It might be unwise to make such promises, particularly given the history of his new employers, who watched his first press conference from the safety of their offices on Thursday. [LNB]Now they have to support their new man, especially when it comes to keeping Andy Carroll. Pardew reports that he will be staying at the club. Now let's see; the transfer window opens in 21 days and the vultures are circling. [LNB]'When I sat down with Derek last night, Andy Carroll came up. His future was one of the items at the top of my agenda. He stays and he needs to stay. He is the No 9 of Newcastle and someone the fans have bought into. I have had reassurances about that - 100 per cent, he is staying here.' [LNB]Looking up: Pardew wants to bring success to Tyneside[LNB]Good news, although there were not many around to hear it. It was a quiet day on Tyneside to greet the new man as only a handful of apathetic youngsters turned up, and that was more out of curiosity than support. [LNB]Pardew has to win them over, but he has done it before. The former West Ham manager is aware feelings are still running high and pleaded for the support to get behind the team. [LNB]'If there is a protest for Chris in terms of a nice protest and fans want to show him their support, then I don't have a problem with that. That is their right. [LNB]'But I hope that anything like that is over with quickly and they start supporting their team. It is not about me, after all, it is about the club. And we are going to need a lot of help to get past Liverpool, who have just hit a bit of form.' [LNB]There is not a football fan in the land who is unaware of the animosity the Newcastle United hierarchy have created this week. [LNB]Pardew knows, in no particular order, that he has to win backing from his players, convince the supporters he is the right man, stand up to his ruthless bosses on transfers in and out of the club and ensure the small matter of Barclays Premier League survival. [LNB]Ashley and Llambias clearly believe their choice will deliver and Pardew had no hesitation in justifying his claims to take Hughton's job. [LNB]He said: 'Having worked with Chris I know what sort of a character he is. He will have been genuinely well liked in that dressing room. I have to follow that. I am not the same sort of character as Chris. I am a different person and that means there will be a different personality in there. [LNB]'I wouldn't say I am more confident, but I just have a manner that can sometimes upset people. I have upset players in the past. I am sure Chris has, too. But I will probably do it in a different way. [LNB]'The Newcastle fans should know I will be strong enough to knock on the (chairman's) door. That is the most important thing upstairs. That is something I guarantee I will do. [LNB] Loony toons: Pardew wants Newcastle to fire up the fans with their performances on the pitch[LNB]'They have had five managers in the short time they have been here, and I would be foolish to say it was not a concern, but I genuinely believe I can do the job and I am hopeful I can get a good situation going here and they will stand beside me. [LNB]'I have a big job here and I cannot think about the past. I am not a Geordie but a couple of Geordies have texted me and both said, ''You have to earn the right to be an honorary Geordie so you had better start working''. [LNB]'I would be lying if I said I did not have some hesitation on Tuesday and on Wednesday when I was travelling up. It is a town I am not familiar with, I make no bones about that. But I want to embrace it and their love for the game. I will move to the town and hopefully stay here a long time. [LNB] Enlarge 'I have obviously brought teams here and it is just a brilliantly supported club. It is a working-class club so I can relate to that because I am a working-class guy. [LNB]'West Ham was another working-class club. That passion and excitement they bring to the stadium is special. I had some special nights at Upton Park and I want to have special nights here when the stadium is fizzing. [LNB]'There are not many stadiums that do that, so I look forward to that.'[LNB]  Alan Pardew confirmed as Newcastle boss with whopping five-and-a-half year contractNewcastle fans insist Alan Pardew will be a failure if Magpies finish lower than 11thFrom sinking Liverpool to managing West Ham and Southampton... new Newcastle boss Alan Pardew's dramatic life in footballMartin Samuel: Hughton's end was a tawdry business, you can bet on itNEWCASTLE UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail