Newcastle v Swansea: Alan Pardew looking to halt alarming run of defeats having won just four of last 17 league matches

Pardew was targeted by unhappy fans calling for his head following the 1-0 defeat to Stoke but he backs himself and the team to come through it

Damian Spellman
Saturday 19 April 2014 12:27 BST
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Alan Pardew sought advice from various people on how better to cope with pressure
Alan Pardew sought advice from various people on how better to cope with pressure

Alan Pardew is being driven by the fear of failure as he attempts to prevent Newcastle's season spiralling further out of control.

The 52-year-old found himself firmly in the firing line when last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Stoke riled fans who have seen their team win just four of their last 17 Barclays Premier League games and lose 11 of those.

However, Pardew, who sends his side into battle with Swansea at St James' Park on Saturday, is refusing to buckle under the pressure of a disapproving public and a malfunctioning team.

He said: "What drives managers, as much as success sometimes, is failure, because with your pride and experience you have had and the knowledge you have, you want to put it right.

"The drive is just as much either way. We always say when you are winning, you are at your weakest.

"You have got different scenarios. At the moment, it is a tough scenario, make no mistake about that. It's been tough on me this week, the pressure of carrying the team.

"But I have had it before and come through it and I hope to come through it again."

The more determined of Pardew's critics at the Britannia Stadium arrived prepared, brandishing banners calling for the manager's head.

That did not go unnoticed by their target, but simply increased his determination to get it right.

Pardew said: "I felt disappointed, of course. I don't want to see those type of banners from my own fans.

"I have been here three years and there have been some really, really good days and there have been some tough days too.

"At this moment in time, it's tough and I have got to be strong, and I am strong in my mentality to take this club forward."

Despite his recent difficulties, owner Mike Ashley is understood not to have lost patience with the man he controversially appointed as Chris Hughton's successor in December 2010.

The manager in turn is preparing for what he expects to be a busy summer in the transfer market - something which has frustratingly proved not to be the case in the last two years - insisting he still loves his job.

Pardew said: "Of course, because this is a football city. They live and die for their football club and that needs to be reflected on a Saturday every week, every minute of every game, and we haven't done that.

"I have been involved in times when you just can't see the next win coming and you can't see the next good performance coming, and you scratch your head a little bit.

"But suddenly, football has that great ability to surprise you in the opposite way, so I hope our fans will be surprised on Saturday and we will put a great performance in."

Pardew's will hope for a significant boost for the clash with Swansea, who are still to ease themselves clear of the relegation fight, with striker Loic Remy and full-back Mathieu Debuchy close to returns from calf and groin injuries respectively.

Their presence would help to restore a measure of calm to a dressing room which has echoed to a series of home truths in recent weeks with skipper Fabricio Coloccini understood to have made his feelings abundantly clear at Stoke.

However, Pardew had no problem with his captain being so vocal.

He said: "I'd be disappointed if he wasn't. When you are on a losing run - Swansea have had their own problems this week - there is frustration.

"It would be crazy if you didn't have frustration. You need to get it out of your system, and sometimes in training and in the dressing room are the best places to do that."

PA

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