Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew ready for busy week ahead of Sunderland derby clash
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew faces a tough and busy week.
ALAN Pardew is ready for one of the biggest weeks of Newcastle United’s season – culminating in the most hotly-anticipated Tyne-Wear derbies in years.
Pardew’s side have back to back home games against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland.
And if they claimed six points, it would be a significant stride towards bringing European football back to Tyneside.
There’s also the small matter of Monday’s FA Youth Cup quarter-final against Blackburn Rovers at St James’s Park, which Pardew is looking forward to as well.
Newcastle were sixth going into this afternoon’s game against Wolves, and just a point off the Champions League places.
With Chelsea and Arsenal far from convincing this season, the hope among fans is that United – who are three points ahead of Liverpool in seventh – can pressure the teams above them this season.
And Pardew, pictured, is under no illusions about the importance of the next eight days, and in particular the sold-out visit of Sunderland, beaten 1-0 at the Stadium of Light in August – to St James’s Park on March 4.
However, the club’s fierce rivals will be a sterner proposition this time around, having pulled away from relegation trouble and climbed into ninth place under the guidance of Martin O’Neill, veteran of many Old Firm derbies from his time in charge of Celtic.
“It’s a big week for this football club, and we’re ready for it,” Pardew, pictured, told the Gazette.
“We’re looking forward to it. We’ve got the Youth Cup on Wednesday night. It’s a big week for us. We’ve got Wolves, the youth-team game and Sunderland.”
Pardew will attend the FA Youth Cup tie against Blackburn, having watched Dave Watson’s in-form team, captained by South Tynesider Remie Streete, overcome Queens Park Rangers in the last round.
And he’s hoping Newcastle’s supporters turn out in force for the tie.
“I was a little bit disappointed (with the crowd) last time, but it was a cold night,” said Pardew. “Hopefully, it’ll be a bit warmer on Monday night.”
The East Stand will be open, and admission is £3 for adults and £1 for concessions.
United have also beaten Darlington and Watford this season in the prestigious competition, which they last won in 1985 when Paul Gascoigne was a youth-team player
The winners of the tie will take on either Fulham or Burnley in a two-legged semi-final.
Watson is expected be without pacy striker Adam Campbell, who is sidelined with an injury.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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Laeotaekhun
Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 11:43 AM"There’s also the small matter of Monday’s FA Youth Cup quarter-final against Blackburn Rovers at St James’s Park, which Pardew is looking forward to as well." Surely, you meant the "Sports Direct Arena"? St. James' - wash your mouth out with soap!!
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