14 Reasons Why Pardew Is No Sir Bobby Robson!

Last updated : 03 December 2013 By Footy Mad - Editor

No disrespect to Pardew - but the guy does love himself more than the supporters do.

We were a week away from relegation last season, having seen the Mackems tank us at St James' Park and Liverpool producing the biggest humiliation since the 1930's!

But, even though Tim Krul faced 32 shots at White Hart Lane - a Premier League record - we survived another humiliation and came good, and Pardew has told us this week that he is "a good manager".

Can we talk about him in the same breath as Sir Bobby?

You tell me.

HONOURS:-

SIR BOBBY ROBSON

Ipswich Town
FA Cup (1): 1977–78
UEFA Cup (1): 1980–81
Texaco Cup (1): 1973

England
World Cup – Fourth Place (1): 1990
Rous Cup (3): 1986, 1988, 1989

PSV Eindhoven
Eredivisie (2): 1990–91, 1991–92

Porto
Primeira Liga (2): 1994–95, 1995–96
Taça de Portugal (1): 1993–94

Barcelona
Copa del Rey (1): 1996–97
Supercopa de España (1): 1996
European Cup Winners' Cup (1): 1997

ALAN PARDEW

(Nothing)

Alan Pardew: "You have to prove yourself as a manager at any club, but particularly at a big club, that you can handle the tough times.

"I did that at West Ham and got a lot of respect from West Ham fans, more for that, probably, than some of the great victories and getting to the cup final and the promotion we got.

"Maybe it will be the same here. Maybe in the future, people will look back on that year and say, 'Well, he still handled it with a bit of dignity and respect', which I tried to do.

"Bobby Robson brought that to this job and for me, that's the beacon for me to make sure I uphold those traditions.

"The players are not so immune to criticism as myself because I have been in the game a long, long time.

"They were probably more hurt than me and it's their response that should take more credit because they are the ones who actually have to perform.

"It's a difficult audience at times, but at the minute, it's easy to play. The crowd is on our side, they are right behind us and therefore, we are making life easy for ourselves.

"It's very, very difficult - you have only got to look at AVB [Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas] this last week.

"Up until that result at Manchester City, I didn't see anything wrong with that season too much, really, and suddenly it was a disaster, so one game can change the outlook very, very quickly.

"I don't really care about the honours too much. The most important thing is we have proven in November that we were as good as anybody, and now we have got to take that into December."

Tuesday December 3
20:00 Crystal Palace v West Ham United

Wednesday December 4
19:45 Arsenal v Hull City
19:45 Liverpool v Norwich City
19:45 Man Utd v Everton
19:45 Southampton v Aston Villa
19:45 Stoke City v Cardiff City
19:45 Sunderland v Chelsea
19:45 Swansea City v Newcastle United
20:00 Fulham v Tottenham
20:00 West Brom v Manchester City

Premier League
1 Arsenal 31
2 Chelsea 27
3 Man City 25
4 Liverpool 24
5 Everton 24
6 Newcastle 23
7 Southampton 22
8 Man Utd 22
9 Tottenham 21
10 Hull City 17
11 A Villa 16
12 West Brom 15
13 Swansea  15
14 Norwich 14
15 West Ham 13
16 Stoke City 13
17 Cardiff 13
18 Fulham 10
19 Sunderland 8
20 C Palace 7

SWANSEA CITY - The Liberty Stadium
 
How To Get There By Car or Coach & Where To Park

Leave the M4 at Junction 45 and take the A4067 towards the City Centre (sign posted A4067 South). Stay on the A4067 for around two and half miles and you will reach the stadium on your left. Car parking at the stadium is for permit holders only and most of the immediate residential areas around the stadium now have 'residents only' parking schemes in place. However away mini buses and coaches can park behind the North Stand in a fenced compound, at a cost of £20 per coach and £10 per minibus. Don't be tempted to park on the nearby Retail Park as you may well end up with a ticket, or worse still, clamped for your trouble!

Away Fans Park & Ride Facility

Away supporters are being encouraged to use the Park & Ride facility located at the Felindre old steel works site, which is signposted off Junction 46, shortly after leaving the M4. The cost of parking there including transport by bus to and from the stadium is £6 per car. Away supporters have their own separate buses to and from the stadium, with the buses waiting outside the away stand at the end of the game to take supporters back to the car park. Simon Wright a visiting West Bromwich Albion fan adds; 'The park and ride is located in the middle of nowhere, but curiously has a high fence. Apparently the facility is also used as a park and ride for the DVLA so the fencing may be for the benefit of their staff. There are toilets on the site although they do look rather ancient. All the staff were friendly and the buses frequent. After the game has ended, the park and ride buses leave the compound with the away coaches for fairly obvious reasons. In my case, this meant a wait of around 20 minutes'.

There is also some street parking to be had. If coming from the M4, you pass the stadium on your left and continue straight on towards Swansea, then after going under a bridge, then there are a number of roads on the right, where on street parking is available. It is then around a 10-15 minute walk to the stadium. However, please note that after the game has ended the Police close the A4067 road running past the stadium, meaning that you can't go back up to the M4 that way. You need to instead go back up to the stadium and where the road is closed turn right at the roundabout onto the A4217. At the next roundabout turn left continuing away from Swansea City Centre. At the junction with the A48 turn right and this takes  you up to Junction 44 of the M4.

Andrew Bartlett a visiting Southampton fan adds; 'I intended to use the park and ride and followed the signs but found the site to be desolate wasteland with flooded potholes, not very inviting at all. Instead I drove on to the stadium and despite the dire warnings found free on street parking only a few minute's walk away and almost traffic free after the match. The level of security and large Police presence was completely unnecessary for such a low key game'.

Post Code for SAT NAV: SA1 2FA

By Train

Swansea Railway Station is on the main line route from London Paddington. It is about two miles from the stadium. Regular local bus services (every ten minutes: routes 4, 4a, 120, 122, 125, 132) and taxis (around £6) are available from the train station to the stadium. Otherwise if you have time on your hands and wish to embark on the 25-30 minute walk, then as you come out of the station turn right and go up the High Street. At the traffic lights turn right into Neath Road. Proceed straight along Neath Road and you will eventually reach the stadium on your right. Thanks to Tom Evans for providing the directions.

What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?

Away fans are housed in the North Stand at one end of the stadium. Up to 2,000 fans can be accommodated in this area, although this allocation can be reduced to 1,000 for teams with a smaller following. The views of the playing action from this area are excellent as there is a good height between rows and the leg room is probably one of the most generous of any stadium that I have visited. The concourses are spacious, with food and beverage outlets, plus a number of television sets, for pre-match and half time entertainment. As you would expect from a new stadium the facilities are good. Away fans are separated from home fans by two metal barriers, with a line of stewards and Police in-between. Interestingly, the main singing contingent of home fans, have, in the traditions of the Vetch Field, situated themselves along one side of the pitch in the East Stand, rather than at the South end of the stadium.

David McNeil informs me; 'As a West Brom fan on holiday in Swansea, I visited the new stadium for the first League game against Tranmere. The stadium is very impressive and the facilities inside the stadium are excellent. Large concourse and great views from the stands. The atmosphere generated by the Swansea fans was excellent throughout the 90 minutes and it will become an intimidating place just as the Vetch used to be. Pre-match entertainment was enjoyed by my kids especially the antics of Cyril the Swan. Great day out, would love to visit the ground again when West Brom play there'.

Tickets will not be sold to away supporters by Swansea City on the day of the match, so do not travel unless you already have a ticket from your own Club. It is also worth bearing in mind that the Swansea fans are passionate about their club and this can make for an intimidating atmosphere. Exercise caution around the ground.

Steve Griffiths adds; 'On the nearby retail park, there is a KFC & Pizza Hut – within 5 minutes walk. Opposite the stadium is a very nice chippy called ‘Rossi’s’. As well as the usual chips with fish, pies, sausages, etc.. they also do salads and jacket potatos'.

Where To Drink?

Phil Weston a visiting Stoke City fan informs me; 'The Liberty Stadium is a lot more friendly than the old Vetch Field. Stoke fans were drinking in The Harvester and Frankie & Benny's just outside the ground and a couple of the pubs just up from the stadium'.

Otherwise it a choice of a drink on the way to Swansea, go into the city centre or drink inside the stadium.
Merv Williams informs me; 'There are a number of pubs on Wind (pronounced as winding a watch) Street in the centre of town, such as Yates, the Bank Statement and the No Sign Bar (the latter being listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. Ask for Castle Gardens, and you'll see Wind Street'. Mick Clarkson a visiting Preston North End fan adds; 'After leaving the train station we proceeded up the High Street and went into the Full Moon public house. The locals both young and old were very friendly and we had a good laugh with all in there both before and after the game. Basic pub with pool table and Sky Sports and a Leeds fan for a landlord and excellent cheap beer'.

Alcohol in the form of Carling (£3.20 a pint) and Worthington (£3.20 a pint) are served within the stadium. The Club open the turnstiles 90 minutes before kick off, so that fans have the option to eat & drink within the stadium itself.

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

Tuesday December 3
20:00 Crystal Palace v West Ham United

Wednesday December 4
19:45 Arsenal v Hull City
19:45 Liverpool v Norwich City
19:45 Man Utd v Everton
19:45 Southampton v Aston Villa
19:45 Stoke City v Cardiff City
19:45 Sunderland v Chelsea
19:45 Swansea City v Newcastle United
20:00 Fulham v Tottenham
20:00 West Brom v Manchester City

IDEAL FOR CHRISTMAS

MAGPIES IN EUROPE -

HARVEY TO PARDEW

sThe new version of "Magpies In Europe" is available NOW.

Although NUFC are not talking to the Chronicle or Sunday Sun ... we are!

And the full story is expected to be in newspapers this week.

The official new title is "Magpies In Europe - Harvey To Pardew" and is an up-dated version of "From Antwerp To Zurich" - which includes the 14 Europa League fixtures we played last season.

The 280-page book features match reports from the 134 European matches Newcastle United have played, starting with the memorable 4-0 win over Feyenoord in 1968 on our European debut. 

Included are stats and the figures you would expect, but also each away fixture has the remarkable experiences of individuals who travelled to watch the matches. 

Introduction by "Big Bad" John McNamee, part of the Fairs Cup winning team of 1969.

It is a fascinating history that every Newcastle United fan will enjoy. 

And with a limited print-run, make sure you order a copy. 

Mail order: Send a cheque for £10.45 made payable to K.Fletcher to:

K Fletcher, 5 Dunelm, Sacriston, Durham DH7 6NU

Include your own address.

ON SALE NOW AT: 

M&M City News; 140 Northumberland St, Newcastle NE1 7DQ.

The Flower Shop, Spennymoor, Co Durham.

RRP: £10.95

if you want to order, contact us:- Kevnumad@fsmail.net

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEWCASTLE UNITED 2013/14 

PREMIER LEAGUE 

NEWCASTLE 2 WBA 1 (Gouffran, Sissoko)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Sissoko (90+5' Cisse), Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran, Shola Ameobi, Remy (84' Anita)
Subs: Ben Arfa, Yanga-Mbiwa, Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi

NEWCASTLE 2 NORWICH CITY 1 (Remy, Gouffran)
Krul, Yanga-Mbiwa, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Sissoko, Tiote, Cabaye (68' Anita), Gouffran (83' Ben Arfa), Shola Ameobi (74' Cisse), Remy.
Subs: Haidara, Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi

TOTTENHAM 0 NEWCASTLE UTD 1 (Remy)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Sissoko, Cabaye, Tiote, Gouffran (85' Obertan), Remy (75' Cisse), Shola Ameobi (60' Anita).
Subs: Coloccini, Ben Arfa, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi

NEWCASTLE UTD 2 CHELSEA 0 (Gouffran, Remy)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Sissoko, Cabaye, Tiote (53' Anita), Gouffran (85' Obertan), Shola Ameobi (62' Cisse).
Subs: Ben Arfa, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Tavernier.

SUNDERLAND 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Debuchy)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Dummett, Santon, Sissoko (45' Cisse), Tiote, Cabaye, Gouffran (86' Sammy Ameobi), Ben Arfa, Remy (70' Shola Ameobi).
Subs: Anita, Haidara, Elliot, Obertan.

NEWCASTLE UTD 2 LIVERPOOL 2 (Cabaye, Dummett)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Cabaye (78'  Sammy Ameobi), Tiote, Gouffran, Sissoko (45' Dummett), Remy, Ben Arfa (78' Anita).
Subs: Cisse, Elliot, Obertan, Dummett.

CARDIFF CITY 1 NEWCASTLE 2 (Remy 2)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Tiote, Cabaye (86' Ben Arfa), Gouffran, Sissoko, Remy (71' Gutierrez), Cisse 
Subs: Anita, Yanga-Mbiwa, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett
 

EVERTON 3 NEWCASTLE 2 (Cabaye, Remy)
Krul, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa (46' Williamson), Coloccini, Santon, Tiote, Anita (69' Cisse), Ben Arfa (46' Cabaye), Sissoko, Gouffran, Remy 
Subs: Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett
 

NEWCASTLE 2 HULL CITY 3 (Remy 2)
Krul, Debuchy (86' Tiote), Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon, Cabaye (62' Gouffran), Anita, Sissoko, Ben Arfa, Cisse (73' Marveaux), Remy 
Subs: Williamson, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett 

ASTON VILLA 1 NEWCASTLE 2 (Ben Arfra, Gouffran)
Krul, Debuchy, Coloccini, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon, Anita (74' Tiote), Cabaye (88' Sammy Ameobi), Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Remy (63' Gouffran), Cisse 
Subs: Elliot, Marveaux, S Taylor, Dummett 

NEWCASTLE 1 FULHAM 0 (Ben Arfa)
Krul, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon, Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Anita 65' (Cabaye), Marveaux 74' (Remy), Shola Ameobi 65' (Gouffran), Cisse 
Subs: Gosling, Elliot, Sammy Ameobi, Dummett 

NEWCASTLE 0 WEST HAM 0
Krul, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Coloccini, Santon, Ben Arfa, Sissoko, Anita, Marveaux 66' (Sammy Ameobi), Shola Ameobi, Cisse 72'
Subs: Gosling, Bigirimana, Elliot, Vuckic, Dummett 

MAN CITY 4 NEWCASTLE 0
Krul, Debuchy, Coloccini, S Taylor, Yanga-Mbiwa, Sissoko, Tiote, Gouffran 45+4' (Dummett), Ben Arfa 65' (Sammy Ameobi), Gutierrez 44' (Anita), Cisse 
Subs: Elliot, Marveaux, Shola Ameobi, Obertan 

LEAGUE CUP 

NEWCASTLE 0 MAN CITY 2 (AET)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Haidara (45 Dummett, 80 Ben Arfa), Anita, Tiote, Gouffran, Sissoko, Shola Ameobi (66 Cabaye), Cisse
Subs: Remy, Elliot, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi

NEWCASTLE 2 LEEDS UTD 0 (Cisse, Gouffran)
Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Coloccini, Dummett, Gouffran (90' Vuckic), Anita (80' Gosling), Tiote, Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi, Cisse (71' Obertan).
Subs: Ben Arfa, Yanga-Mbiwa, Bigirimana, Alnwick
 

MORECAMBE 0 NEWCASTLE 2 (Shola Ameobi, Sammy Ameobi)
Elliot, Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Good, Dummett, Bigirimana, Gosling, Marveaux 88' (Sissoko), Vuckic 46' (Shola Ameobi), Sammy Ameobi, Gouffran 71' (Ben Arfa)
Subs: Santon, Anita, Alnwick, Streete 

Newcastle United Fixtures

d
 

Wednesday December 4
19:45  Premier League 
Swansea City v Newcastle United

Saturday December 7
12:45 Premier League
Man Utd v Newcastle United

Saturday December 14
15:00 Premier League
Newcastle United v Southampton

Saturday December 21
15:00 Premier League
Crystal Palace v Newcastle United

Thursday December 26
15:00 Premier League
Newcastle United v Stoke City

Sunday December 29
13:30 Premier League
Newcastle United v Arsenal

Wednesday January 1 2014
15:00 Premier League
West Brom v Newcastle United