Pardew clutches at straws as race to avoid drop
hots up
New Charlton manager Alan Pardew today spoke of his
strategy to get the struggling South East London outfit to avoid relegation
from the Premiership. Speaking to assembled journalists at a club press
conference, the former West Ham boss indicated that there was a range of
factors which he would be utilising to aid the Addick’s bid for survival.
“The message I need to send is that the stadium
will need to help us,” said Pardew in reference to the abhorrent
nature of the team’s recent home performances. Charlton grounds men were
unavailable to confirm that Pardew had met with them to discuss sloping the
pitch so the ball naturally rolls towards the opponent’s net.
A further possibility involves the deployment of
former boss Les Reed to haunt the ground, scaring opponents into
the sort of lacklustre performances that would ensure a more even match day
contest.
An optimistic Pardew, meanwhile, also took the time to hit out at those who
might question his belief in the job at hand. “I can only be critical of
them [the players] once they are under me,”
he said, akin perhaps to an overexcited un-housetrained dog in need of a
wee. Nonetheless, Pardew has presumably instilled a significant amount of
confidence amongst the swathes of already downbeat Charlton fans.
Following Pardew’s positive start to his new role, which has seen Charlton
gain 4 points from 6, there are already signs that he may yet be able to dig
the club out of trouble. His first game in charge, a crucial home encounter
with Fulham, was billed as a must win match.
Managing to avoid another drubbing proved to be the more attainable target.
“This weekend is a good weekend to pick up points,”
permanently angry Fulham manager Chris
Coleman cryptically claimed. After they could only manage a fortunate draw,
managers may begin to place more respect on the changing fortunes of a club
in transition from the brave side which narrowly lost to the giants of
league two Wycombe in the cup to ones genuinely capable of avoiding cricket
scores week in week out.
Quotes decanted from original BBC Sport article, which can be seen
here.