Source: Daily_Mail
Alan Pardew's Newcastle discipline problems are small fry compared with Sir Bobby's
There is not a Newcastle United manager from the last half a century who has not had to deal with the fall-out of his players' social habits. [LNB]And compared with the numerous, colourful issues Sir Bobby Robson had to address in his reign, two injured first-team players and a reserve showing off their six packs in a Newcastle nightclub on the eve of a Barclays Premier League game is pretty lame stuff.[LNB]Every manager will empathise with Alan Pardew this week. Unintelligent behaviour, the kind of silliness which defies belief from high-profile footballers, is not new even if it remains mind boggling. They have apologised, convinced, like most of us, that they haven't really done anything wrong. But it certainly isn't helpful to Pardew, or Newcastle United. [LNB] Causing a stir: Newcastle players (L-R) Stephen Folan, Stephen Ireland and Leon Best were pictured in a compromising position the day before a match[LNB]It doesn't help that Newcastle lost said match, nor that it turns out the photographs of the players were posted on the official TupTup Palace website, thereby with their permission. [LNB]There were no fans snapping away on mobiles, no paps earning a quick buck, some guy from the club with a big camera and a flash came up to them in their VIP area and asked for a photograph. And they duly obliged and grinned, proudly showing off their muscular, well-toned guts, the rewards of their daily routines. [LNB]And the worrying thing is that they insist they weren't drinking... [LNB] More from Colin Young... Northern Exposure: Forget Welbeck... 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So as well as trying to comprehend his side's capitulation at the Britannia Stadium, and a continued sorry run of form, Pardew was informed of the images of Best and Ireland, along with the unfortunate and impressionable youth player Stephen Forlan - a 19-year-old fellow Irishman who has now earned notoriety without getting near to kicking a ball for the club. [LNB]What could he say? As I say. We can all feel for him.[LNB]It's a new problem for Pardew to deal with, but old news. Monday night's apology, which would have been almost unnecessary if Newcastle had actually triumphed on Saturday, was intended to draw a line under the incident. And you just know it will have been dealt with firmly privately. [LNB]Those who can remember Sir Bobby trying to deal with his bunch of miscreants will have a wry smile, but I get the feeling this will be the last incident of this sort on Pardew's watch. The message will have been received loud and clear during this international break.[LNB]Newcastle do have bigger issues to deal with if they are to avoid being sucked into the bottom three. [LNB]The unexpected resurgence of those below them, and the welcome closeness of sides outside the top seven, has suddenly left Newcastle fearing relegation once again.[LNB]Like Sunderland, they have failed to cope with the loss of their talismanic centre forward even though, unlike their neighbours, they appear to have discovered, in Best, a goalscorer.[LNB]Before a training ground injury ruled him out of Saturday's game, Best had scored six in nine - but it is worth pointing out three were in his first start against West Ham in early January when Andy Carroll was still a Newcastle employee. He has failed to complete 90 minutes so far, nor avoid being offside every second attack.[LNB] Jermaine man: Newcastle were humiliated at the Britannia Stadium[LNB]Newcastle have won just one in their last nine, have started to look fragile and unconvincing at the back, and goals have dried up from elsewhere in the wake of Carroll's departure.[LNB]And although Sunderland are far from safe with just two points more, with major problems scoring as well as creating and defending set pieces, Newcastle have a tougher run-in.[LNB]Wolves have never defeated Newcastle in the Premier League, never mind won at St James' Park, but they come to Tyneside at the end of the month in much better form - unbeaten in four - and have the bit between their teeth simply because they have been involved in the relegation scrap for so long.[LNB]This is all alien to Newcastle this season and the last two months will be a test for Pardew, who will need no reminding of the importance of survival after the controversial exit of Chris Hughton and his appointment.[LNB] Our form stinks! Newcastle United's Alan Pardew has overseen just one win in nine[LNB]So many of his players were involved in the last relegation that the wounds of that season could so easily be exposed. On the plus side, they still have that famous Newcastle team spirit, the key ingredient which brought them back up in the first place. [LNB]And that is the one positive which may come from a daft night on the Toon from players who should have known better.[LNB]Best needs to carry on scoring (and learn the offside rule) while Ireland knows he owes Pardew and Newcastle big time. No excuses now, he needs to get fit and bring his form of two years ago to a side which is desperate for inspiration.[LNB]It helps that Joey Barton will be considerably fitter. He is one of the driving forces in a dressing room which will now be working on that 'them versus us' mentality, determined to use all the fall-out from last weekend's double debacle to their advantage. [LNB] Johnson expects Liverpool team-mate Carroll to shine for EnglandWe were on Best behaviour! Toon duo to speak to Pardew over nightclub visitWe're sorry! Newcastle's Best and Ireland apologise for nightclub gaffeStoke 4 Newcastle 0: Potters run riot to thrash sorry ToonAll the latest Newcastle news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Chris Hughton, Joey Barton, Bobby Robson, Andy Carroll Places: Newcastle, Ireland
