Pardew looking for 'one big result'
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew believes a home victory against title contenders Manchester City could spark a revival in their Barclays Premier League season.
The Magpies are currently 14th in the overall standings and have only won once in their last 10 games in all competitions, 3-0 at home over strugglers Wigan earlier this month.
They welcome the defending champions to St James' Park tomorrow, but Pardew is not fearing Roberto Mancini's side, who have only triumphed once in their last six games across all competitions.
Pardew admits last weekend's derby defeat by rivals Manchester United will have fired up City, but he does not think they post the same threat as they did last term.
"They were definitely the best away team we played last season," Pardew said.
"When they were at home last year they were pretty awesome and we didn't really get a foothold in that game.
"What I do know is they will be pretty much focussed on this game and therefore it probably makes it a shade more difficult. But when you're champions of the Premier League, it's a difficult game full stop.
"We got nothing off them last year but I don't think they are as strong as they were last year coming into this game.
"We are having a tough run, we don't disguise that, but the work ethic is there. One big result, which could happen this weekend, could change a lot of the picture and we could find ourselves in a good position in the league."
Newcastle approach the match on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat by Fulham on Monday night.
Pardew remains frustrated his side could not seal a win despite considerable chances at Craven Cottage, with the returning Hatem Ben Arfa scoring his side's only goal.
Ben Arfa is a doubt for this match due to a hamstring problem, something which will again derail any kind of continuity in the Newcastle manager's side.
Steven Taylor (hamstring) and Yohan Cabaye (groin surgery) remain on Newcastle's long-term casualty list.
Meanwhile, Mancini insists last week's Manchester derby proved City are a better team than United.
Though Sir Alex Ferguson's side emerged victors thanks to Robin van Persie's injury-time free-kick, allowing United to stride six points clear at the Barclays Premier League summit, Mancini felt his team were the better side.
The Italian believes the championship race could turn City's way once United return to Champions League action, although before then he has to cope with an injury list which will be compounded by the absence of Yaya and Kolo Toure at the African Nations Cup next month.
"We showed last week that we are better than Manchester United," said Mancini.
"They do have more experience than us. They don't have any problems when they are behind. They continue to work.
"We should do the same. It only depends on us whether we can recover these points.
"But the season is long and everything might change in February when the Champions League starts again."
Mancini remains resolute in the belief he has in City's squad, even though they have rarely hit the heights which drew so much attention at the start of last season.
"Probably it is true," he said.
"But we are only six points behind and in second position.
"We don't have a big problem. I still believe in these players and we do have a chance."
Vincent Kompany's hamstring injury looks certain to rule him out of the trip.
Gareth Barry serves a one-match ban, while Jack Rodwell and James Milner (both hamstring) and Micah Richards (knee) are also missing.
Source: PA
