Pressure Mounts On Pardew Ahead Of Stoke Trip

There could be more than three points on the line as Newcastle United visit Stoke City`s Britannia Stadium on Monday night (29th September, 20:00) with Magpies` owner Mike Ashley allegedly confirming that a loss in Staffordshire would see manager Alan Pardew removed from his position. It is also claimed by an Independent newspaper reporter that the Toon chairman made a cut-throat gesture when asked about the former-Southampton man`s future.

`Dead. Finished. Over. One more game then that`s it.` The Sports Direct entrepreneur said. `What would you do? I have spent a lot of money on that club, it cost me a lot. I won`t put up with it any more. Honestly, answer me, what would you do? One more loss and he`s gone, he`s over, he`s finished.`

Ashley later claimed that his response was `tongue in cheek`, his lawyer telling the publication,

`Mr Ashley responded, tongue in cheek, that Mr Pardew had two more games before being sacked. To put this into perspective, over the past few weeks certain reporters have stated that they believe that Mr Pardew has two more games before being sacked. Mr Ashley was therefore `humouring` your reporter.`

In spite of this `Mr Pardew` is still the 2/5 (Skybet) favourite to be the next top-tier manager to leave his job.

Bottom-of-the-table United are yet to win in the Premier League this season racking up a below-par three points from five games. Magpies` fans will, however, be buoyed by their side`s 3-2 extra time victory over Crystal Palace away at Selhurst Park in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday. Two goals from Emmanuel Riviere saw the away team bounce back from being a goal behind though were denied a normal time victory by Palace`s youngster Sullay Kaikai who slipped a goal past Rob Elliot with minutes remaining. Things then got a little too close for comfort as Mehdi Abeid received a red card in the first half of additional time though the travelling fans could breathe again with Paul Dummett`s diving header. This mid-week result was the second comeback produced by Pardew`s men in the space of a few days after coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Hull City last Saturday. Newly-fit striker Papiss Cisse grabbing a brace in the final 20 minutes.

Two goals from Barcelona transfer Marc Muniesa saw Stoke stage a comeback of their own landing a 2-1 victory over Sunderland in their cup tie. The Potters currently lie in 16th place in the league after being unable to supplement their outstanding 1-0 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium with a similarly impressive result, a narrow 1-0 defeat against Leicester preceding a two all draw at QPR`s Loftus Road. Both Manchester City hero Mame Biram Diouf and Peter Crouch found themselves on the scoresheet and are 2/1 (bet365, betfair, Betvictor, Bwin, ladbrokes) and 9/4 (Bwin) respectively to net at any time again tomorrow.

Indeed, Stoke are the favourites to send the Geordies back to the North-East empty-handed and to test the validity of Ashley`s comments. Mark Hughes` men are 23/20 (ladbrokes, william hill) with Newcastle 29/10 (bet365, Betvictor, boylesports) to seal their first league win of the season in high-pressure circumstances. The majority of bookmakers are offering 12/5 on a draw that will surely not do Pardew any good.

Hull saviour Cisse will return to the starting line-up after missing the mid-week game with illness. Both betfair and ladbrokes have 3/1 on him adding to his tally tomorrow. United`s number one Tim Krul and midfielder Yoan Gouffran are also expected to start after recovering from sickness.

Whilst Newcastle still have nine players out, Stoke`s injury problems are less severe missing only Geoff Cameron (hernia) and Peter Odemwingie (knee) with Jonathan Walters given a late fitness test to assess his niggling calf.

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28/09/2014     © Frixo 2024