Newcastle: Pardew Would Be Happy With LESS Points Than Last Season

As Newcastle play out their open training day in front of collected fans and press, Alan Pardew has directly answered a question of his side's aims for the coming season, and fans aren't going to be happy. When asked whether he could guide his team to a 10th position or higher, emulating the 2013/14 season, Pardew responded with the following:

"Well the average for this club over the last ten years in the Premiership is 48 points, and I think if we get that or anything above that it will be a good season for us. But at this point in the season, like all clubs, we dream of higher than that; we'll have to see where we go..."

And frustratingly, Pardew has also looked ahead to the next transfer window, and the possibility of losing more players, though there were some positive notes...

"...we've got another window to get through in the winter, which caused us damage last time. Hopefully we conduct our business well in that window and strengthen again and if we can, we can have a great season."

So, basically, if Newcastle finish with the same points as last season, which included the most dismal second half of the season in recent memory, the manager will be happy. Should the minimum not be set somewhat higher? It's nice to hear him talk of "dreaming higher", but that doesn't sound so much like frank ambition as an admission of the team's inability to compete higher in reality. And while he talks the right way about strengthening in January there's an almighty trade-off in the fact that he brought up the issue of Cabaye's departure. Perhaps this is merely the mark of a man who has had his fingers burnt - both in terms of setting unrealistic expectations and suggesting players won't be sold? Pardew was also asked if he planned on continuing to add squad members, after the summer's 9 acquisitions to date:

"I think we've been very much on the ball with transfers. I think if something comes along that we think is right for us, we have got scope to move. Whether we do or not will depend on the finance and whether it's right."

So that's a definite maybe. Possibly. If it's right. What do you think of Pardew's latest comments? Share your thoughts below in the comments thread.