10 Most Laughable Excuses Alan Pardew Has Made At Newcastle
6. The One Where The Fans Got Too Excited
For most managers, the moment the fans turn on you is the last step before the sack, but Alan Pardew has so far remained bullet-proof despite a deeply depressing run of form in 2014 so far. And though the new season started with purpose and a sense of excitement at the new signings, the first long ball from a set-piece to Mike Williamson suggested very little had changed, and that Pardew would be in for some flack before too long. Since then, Newcastle have played better football than last year, and have made some strides into better midfield play (though having a toothless attack doesn't help anyone), but two draws and a loss from the opening three fixtures - especially with two winnable games - has lead to more pressure for the beleaguered manager. Luckily, Pardew protected himself by suggesting that the second of those draws - against Crystal Palace at St. James' Park - was transformed from a win because the crowd wanted to win by too many goals and it rubbed off on the players:
We should have had three points. Perhaps we got wrapped up in the crowd trying to get a fourth and its frustrating to concede.
An odd thing to say, to say the least, considering how many times Pardew has leaned on fans to be the 12th man in the past.
