Source: Northern_Echo
Pardew ponders tactics
ALAN PARDEW has admitted Stoke City's physical Premier League approach will be a key factor when he decides on the fitness of Joey Barton tomorrow.[LNB] Barton has not figured in either of the Magpies' last two matches but he came through the warm up with the rest of the squad yesterday and is expected to take part in full training this morning.[LNB] Pardew is keen to avoid inflicting further damage on the thigh problem which has ruled the midfielder out of home dates with Bolton and Everton.[LNB] The Newcastle boss also has major reservations about asking Jonas Gutierrez, nursing a hamstring problem, or untested Shane Ferguson to slot in at left-back in the absence of Jose Enrique.[LNB] Pardew has the utmost respect for Stoke's style of play, suggesting the variation has improved the Premier League, but is mindful of what his team will be up against as he considers his starting line-up.[LNB] "I will make a decision on Jonas and Joey on Friday," said Pardew, who has put Ferguson on a steak and milk diet to bulk him up. "They are very close so I can't say too much. But for a game of this magnitude, in terms of the physical power needed on the pitch, it's a small pitch and there will be physical encounters everywhere.[LNB] "I have to be conscious of that and make sure my team can deal with that and play our game.[LNB] "We need to use the full width and keep possession.[LNB] "I also have a decision to make on who will play left-back, I will have to sleep on it. You have to be strong enough to cope with Stoke but at the same time I have a history of giving of debuts so we will see."[LNB] With neither Enrique nor Stephen Ireland expected to play before Wolves arrive on April 2, Pardew's options are limited. He is, though, expected to name Danny Simpson on the left, with Steven Taylor continuing on the right.[LNB] The manager would prefer to name Barton in midfield at the Britannia Stadium, but can't afford to be without him for an extended period of time.[LNB] With both Kevin Nolan and Cheik Tiote heading for Stoke just one booking away from a suspension, Pardew is having to plan carefully.[LNB] Nolan and Tiote have nine yellow cards and a further caution between now and the weekend of April 9 - the cut off point when previous bookings will not be considered - would trigger a two game ban.[LNB] Only Chris Brunt, Cieran Clark, Steve Gohouri and Paul Scholes are in the same position in the Premier League and Pardew knows the pair have to watch their step.[LNB] "You are talking about fine lines and every game has incidents where players should or should not have picked up a card," he said. "The two players on nine yellows are very, very important players and we can't afford to lose them for two games.[LNB] "I remember Cheik having a few little words with the referee in the Everton game and Kevin coming over and dragging him away. We're all very conscious of it, I think you have to be conscious of something like that. It does play a slightly negative role."[LNB]
