Alan Pardew, it’s never your fault

This weekend sees Alan Pardew return to St. James’ Park with his Crystal Palace side. For Newcastle United it is the start of the 3 game run from which only 9 points will do and even then, survival isn’t a certainty, not by any means.

The pressure is on for the magpies and it is a game that they should win. Putting aside Crystal Palace’s loftier league position and FA Cup run, we have the quality in the side to win this game but will the Pardew factor come in to it?

Newcastle United fans can be split in to two camps when it comes to Alan Pardew. There was a ferocious movement against him, especially towards the end of his tenure. Negative chants were aimed at him throughout most games and the atmosphere, at home games in particular, was vile. Alan Pardew was not well liked at all.

That said, there are some fans who feel he was wrongly hounded out of the club and feel that we would not be in the dire straits we’re in now had we kept him. I was firmly in the Pardew Out camp. I felt his ego destroyed his ability to manage and whilst we had one good season under him when we finished 5th, we battled, or at least flirted with, relegation in the others. That said, part of me agrees with the so called “Pardew In” crowd. No, I don’t think we would be in the position we are in now had he stayed but I don’t think we are far from it. Steve McClaren was a mistake from start to finish but under Rafa Benitez we have a clear line of leadership and a manager with proven credentials. Here’s a statement for you, given the choice, I’d rather we were managed by Rafa Benitez in the Championship than Alan Pardew in the Premiership.

Alan Pardew, it’s never your fault

This was one line aimed at him during his Newcastle tenure and how true it was. When we lost, he blamed something or someone else. It was never his fault. The local Sunday newspaper even put this as their front page, something that has never, ever, been seen before. Something that took some bravery given Mike Ashley’s willingness to ban any press/reporter who dares utter a word against the club

So here we are, in a couple of days we face the man so many of us despise but this match is so much bigger than that. If anything, Pardew being in the opposition dugout should add to what should be a cracking atmosphere anyway, given the importance of the game. Crystal Palace should certainly not be taken lightly but we simply need to win. Past relationships, animosity or even friendships need to be put aside for the time being. We need to continue on the run we are having, beat Palace and then hope other results go out way. Hope. That’s a word I’ve not used for a while now but under Rafa that is exactly what we do have. Hope.