Source: Northern_Echo
Pardew to honour attacking tradition
ALAN Pardew claims he will be besmirching Newcastle United's history and tradition unless he engenders an attacking brand of football during his time at the club.[LNB] Pardew was given an unexpected weekend off when Newcastle's scheduled game at Birmingham City was postponed on Saturday lunchtime.[LNB] He has spent the time contemplating how he wants his side to play during festive fixtures with Manchester City, Tottenham and Wigan, and assessing how best to adapt his preferred style to the strengths and weaknesses of the players he has inherited.[LNB] Some of his predecessors at St James' Park, particularly the unsuccessful Sam Allardyce and Graeme Souness, failed to win over the club's supporters because of an overly-negative approach.[LNB] Pardew's previous clubs have tended to play positive and purposeful football, and the former West Ham and Charlton boss is determined to maintain that trend on Tyneside.[LNB] If I didn't do that, I'd be doing the club a disservice,[LNB] he said. I'm not saying this for PR, because I know that's a battle I won't win, and ultimately you're always going to be judged on whether or not you win games.[LNB] But the way we play needs to represent Newcastle in the manner it should be represented.[LNB] I need to do my most important work on the training ground, and that work needs to reflect the history of the club.[LNB] The crowd wants the Newcastle team to play a brand of football that gets them on their feet. Now, that isn't going to happen all the time, and nothing would give me more pleasure than a few 1-0 wins.[LNB] But if we can play a game where we retain possession long enough to hurt the opposition, rather than turning the ball over or keeping it but doing nothing with it, then somewhere within all that is my style.[LNB] Pardew clearly likes to see his side building from the back and passing purposefully through midfield.[LNB] In the past, the Londoner has also displayed a willingness to play with two wingers that will please the Magpies support.[LNB] He is also a pragmatist, however, and playing to Newcastle's strengths at the moment means doing everything possible to create scoring opportunities for Andy Carroll.[LNB] Andy has obvious strengths, and it's important to underline those and play to them, said Pardew.[LNB] You have to vary the service you're giving him, but if you put the ball in the box, there's not many defenders want to deal with him.[LNB] If he gets the ball at his feet, he's not embarrassed about that side of the game either.[LNB] He's got a lot of tools, but his main asset is his power and physical presence and that always has to be at the forefront of our minds.[LNB] Having enjoyed only one full week of training since replacing Chris Hughton, Pardew will spend this week working on a number of technical and tactical issues at Newcastle's Darsley Park training complex.[LNB] He will also attempt to make some headway in the ongoing contract negotiations involving Steven Taylor.[LNB] The centre-half is due to become a free agent in the summer and is therefore free to talk to prospective suitors from the start of next month.[LNB] Pardew has already held informal discussions with Taylor, who is keen to remain on Tyneside despite growing interest from elsewhere.[LNB] The manager is hoping to arrange a series of more formal talks with the defender and his agent this week.[LNB] I have spoken to Steven this week, he said. I haven't had an indication that he wants to leave.[LNB] It is far from resolved, but I think it is a decision where Steven wants the contract to be right for him. He wants a contract that he thinks is fair for his ability and his ability going forward. I think that is fair.[LNB] That is something I will try to work out when I sit down with him and his agent.[LNB] I will try to get a resolution. I think if he could, he would stay if we got that right.[LNB] I want him to stay. He is a good player and has been involved in the full England squad.[LNB] You don't want to lose a player of that calibre, so my job is to ensure I do everything I can to keep him. If I don't, we'll have to go and get a replacement of the same calibre.[LNB]
