Source: PA
Pardew hoping for better fortunes in FA Cup
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is hoping it is a case of third time lucky as he resumes his love-hate relationship with the FA Cup.
The competition has given the 49-year-old some of the biggest thrills and most crushing disappointments of his football career to date as he prepares to send the Barclays Premier League side into battle with League Two minnows Stevenage in a classic cup tie.
Pardew, whose strike had sealed a famous 4-3 semi-final victory over Liverpool, was a member of the Crystal Palace team which came within seven minutes of an extra-time victory over Manchester United in the 1990 final at Wembley before Mark Hughes' 113th-minute equaliser secured a replay which the Old Trafford club won 1-0.
He came even closer as West Ham manager 16 years later when, with his side leading 3-2 in injury-time, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard struck from distance to take the game into extra-time and ultimately a penalty shoot-out which went the way of the Merseysiders.
Pardew said: "I have been so close on two occasions to winning it. I was seven minutes away and maybe injury-time away when I was manager at West Ham, so I hope it is third time lucky for me.
"But this is a tough game for us. The other rounds fall nicely for us - you have got a week's preparation before the games. This one is on the back of a really tough run for us. Stevenage haven't had a midweek game, so it worries me, if I am honest. We have got to be really, really strong on Saturday to make sure we get through this round."
