Savage Hits Back At Newcastle Fans!

Last updated : 07 March 2014 By Footy Mad - Editor

However, for those questioning his views, the 39-year-old had a quick rebuttal:

Robbie Savage: "Hang on a minute, people: I was sent off only once in my career – and that was for handball."

Earlier in the column, Savage had said that Pardew's ill discipline was "spreading through the club," with several of the Magpies' coaches also guilty of unsavoury incidents in the past.

Robbie Savage: "But Pardew’s habit of losing his rag seems to be infectious, because some of his staff have also been involved in spats they probably regret now.

"His assistant John Carver was sent to the stands at Wigan last year for his reaction to Callum McManaman’s horrible tackle on Massadio Haidara.

"Goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman was sent from the dugout three months ago for his part in a free-for-all between the two benches in Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Southampton.

"And reserve coach Willie Donachie resigned last month after an allegation he had hit one of his own players. So, there is a culture of poor conduct at Newcastle – and it should have been nipped in the bud by now.

"The club ­obviously rate Pardew very highly. In most other workplaces, any manager or senior executive who dispenses summary justice with a ­headbutt would be fired on the spot, but Newcastle felt a £100,000 fine and formal warning was sufficient."