Source: Northern_Echo
Boss Pardew wants to bring in new players
ALAN Pardew has admitted yesterday's 2-0 defeat at Tottenham underlined the need for Newcastle United to make reinforcements during the January transfer window.[LNB] Second-half goals from Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale condemned Pardew's side to their second defeat in the space of three days, and plunged the Magpies back into the bottom half of the table for the first time since Chris Hughton was dismissed at the start of the month.[LNB] With Kevin Nolan and Jose Enrique missing through suspension and injury respectively, Newcastle were forced to field Joey Barton in the hole between midfield and attack despite the fact he has only scored three goals in his last 18 months of Premier League football, and name James Perch at left-back even though he is predominantly right footed.[LNB] The result was an unbalanced line up, and having discussed a potential transfer kitty with chief executive Derek Llambias prior to his appointment, Pardew has conceded just how important it is to strengthen the Newcastle squad next month.[LNB] I think it's evident that we could do with a couple of additions,[LNB] said the Magpies manager. On its day, we have a team that can compete with anyone, we've proved that against some of the top teams in this division.[LNB] But is there that competition and quality in all areas when other players have to come in I thought James Perch did terrific at left-back, but he isn't naturally left-footed and so we maybe lacked a little bit of balance down that left-hand side.[LNB] We couldn't get Jonas (Gutierrez) in the game as much as we would have liked, and little things like that make a difference. We are looking at the market, and hopefully we can bring someone in.[LNB] I have the backing of the board, and I want to put that into place in terms of taking the club forward. We've secured (Steven) Taylor this week, which was very important, and there's a no sale on Andy Carroll, which is probably the biggest and best news we're going to have during the window. But hopefully we can add one or two as well.[LNB] Enrique's absence proved particularly controversial, as the Spaniard disclosed his hamstring injury on his Twitter site more than three hours before kick-off.[LNB] Normally, starting line-ups are a closely-guarded secret, in order to prevent opposition coaches from adapting their plans to reflect an unexpected change in circumstances.[LNB] There is no suggestion Harry Redknapp did anything out of the ordinary to exploit Enrique's absence, but Pardew has admitted Newcastle will have to introduce a formal code of conduct to police how their players are using social networking sites.[LNB] We've spoken about it, he said. I got a text message saying that the press and everyone knew because he had Tweeted about his injury, and that's something we need to look at as a club.[LNB] Players can't be giving that sort of information away.[LNB] We'll have to make it club policy that has to stop. This instant news society is difficult to police, but we'll do our best.[LNB] Will he be okay for the Wigan game I'll have to check his Tweets and see.[LNB] That Wigan game on January 2 has now assumed huge importance, as the relegationthreatened Latics will move level on points with Newcastle if they win at the DW Stadium.[LNB] This month's 3-1 win over Liverpool provided some breathing space, but defeats to Manchester City and Spurs have left the Magpies just three points above the relegation zone.[LNB] You can only stop looking over your shoulder when you win, said Pardew. When you win you look upwards; when you lose you look backwards.[LNB] That's the reality, but we've got three really tough games out of the way and we've taken three points from those matches. If we'd drawn all three, you would probably have said that's three good results.[LNB] I think we need six or seven more wins, and I think this team is capable of that, and hopefully a couple more on top.[LNB]
