Pardew on borrowed time at Newcastle
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has been reassured that his job is safe for the time being despite his side’s failure to win any of their first six Premier League matches.
A 2-2 draw at Swansea left the Magpies languishing in the relegation zone with hardly any change following their defeat to Stoke. This match should at least bring some relief in that it is followed by an International break.
Speculation over Pardew’s future has persisted since last season’s famous “head-butting” incident against Hull. Newcastle were swift to issue Pardew with a £100,000 fine, a punishment that was later increased with a £60,000 FA fine and a three-match stadium ban. Many believed that Pardew was fortunate to keep his job but it is Newcastle’s miserable league form that is now causing concern.
Many supporters felt that the club had not made sufficient effort to address the problems facing the club during the summer transfer window. A home defeat by champions Man City was followed by a goalless draw with Aston Villa. Victory looked assured against Crystal Palace with the Magpies leading 3-2 deep into stoppage time only for Zaha to grab a late equaliser.
Newcastle would claim a degree of retribution when beating Palace 3-2 in the Capital One Cup but a thumping 4-0 defeat at Southampton was a new low in terms of league performances. The knives were out for Pardew when the side fell two goals behind at home to Hull the following week but Papiss Cisse rescued a point with a late double strike as substitute.
Pardew joined Newcastle in 2010 and only Arsene Wenger of Arsenal has been in his job longer among the current Premier League managers. In November 2013, Pardew led Newcastle to four successive victories and was awarded the manager of the month award. They then recorded their first victory at Old Trafford in more than forty years but things have gone downhill ever since.
They lost 15 of their 21 competitive matches from the turn of the year to the of the season and fans verbally abused Pardew and owner Mike Ashley during the club’s last home game of the season. For many Newcastle supporters, Pardew was already on borrowed time at the start of the new season and nothing has changed to alter that view.
Following the 2-2 draw at Swansea, Newcastle play Leicester at home before a very tough run of games. They visit Tottenham and Manchester City in the last week of October and play Liverpool on November 1st. There are certainly some treacherous waters ahead for Pardew and Newcastle.
