Source: Daily_Mail
Newcastle can make top four, says Alan Pardew
Alan Pardew will send Newcastle into battle on Sunday with a team he believes are five years down the same line he wants to travel.[LNB]Tottenham will arrive at St James' Park to provide Pardew's new-look Magpies with the sternest test to date of their credentials with both sides flying high in the Barclays Premier League table.[LNB]Newcastle are unbeaten in nine games in all competitions to date, and their return of four wins and three draws in their seven league games has helped them to amass 15 points to sit proudly in fourth place.[LNB] High hopes: Pardew has overseen a transformation at St James' Park[LNB]Indeed, they are currently two positions and three points better off than the visitors, although they know they will have to be at their best to either maintain or extend that advantage this weekend.[LNB]Spurs have been transformed in the three years since manager Harry Redknapp arrived at White Hart Lane, and they are now reaping the kind of rewards for their investment in young, talented players which Pardew hopes eventually to achieve as his masterplan unfolds.[LNB]He said: 'That's fair to say. That's something that's been in process there, not just under Harry, probably you would have to say before that.[LNB]'They have bought some very good young players and they have taken their time to build and are in a fine financial position.[LNB]'That's what we are trying to do, but we are much earlier down the line than they are now.[LNB]'The start of their process was probably about five years ago.'[LNB]Newcastle's opening fixtures having been testing, but not overly so, and they face a more stringent examination of their readiness to lock horns with the big boys in coming weeks.[LNB] Best behaviour: Newcastle remain unbeaten this season[LNB] [LNB] They face top three Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea in the space of a fortnight as November turns to December, although Pardew is confident he already knows the capabilities of his team.[LNB]He said: 'I think we have proved we are going to be competitive, it's just at what level we are going to be competitive. That's still to come.'[LNB]But for now, they will concentrate on the task of meeting Spurs head on and attempting to improve upon the result they got in the corresponding fixture last season.[LNB]The Magpies appeared to be heading for all three points, courtesy of Fabricio Coloccini's 59th-minute strike when Aaron Lennon snatched a draw in injury time.[LNB]Even the most one-eyed members of the Toon Army would admit the visitors deserved a point on the day, and going one better this time around would be viewed as a significant achievement.[LNB]Pardew has been delighted with the efforts of his players to date, but he knows this weekend's fixture is perhaps their toughest so far.[LNB]He said: 'I don't see any problem in saying that. They are, certainly offensively, by some distance the best team we have played, and as a whole team, defensively and everything about a team, they are the best team too.[LNB] Bragging rights: Spurs beat north London rivals in their last outing[LNB] [LNB] 'They are four games undefeated and looking strong to have a really good season. It's a benchmark for us, but also for them too because it's not going to be easy coming to us.[LNB]'We are unbeaten and at home, and that's never easy to come to St James' Park.[LNB]'At home, Harry's bright enough to know we are a force whatever team runs out for Newcastle. But particularly this year, we have been strong at home. We have won a couple of games quite comfortably.[LNB]'But this is a much sterner test.' I've no problem with Rafa! Spurs boss Redknapp denies rift with Van der VaartNewcastle boss Pardew urges Trapattoni to give Ireland his Best shotClick here for the latest Premier League table, fixtures and results All the latest Newcastle news, features and opinion All the latest Tottenham news, features and opinion [LNB]
