Alan Pardew: Nice Bloke - Ashley's Puppet
With the constant starvation of any sort of communication coming out of St James’, it was refreshing to hear Alan Pardew answering fans’ questions on local radio this week, with extra credit given as it’s the first week of pre-season training.Media attention is never something the Gaffer shies away from and whether it be his Cockney banter or his exuding confidence- the boss often comes across, in the words of Tim Nice but Dim, as a thoroughly nice bloke.
Yet, in spite of this there is still something unnerving when he speaks, something that makes you think- hang on is this actually you talking here.
It may be the scepticism that has been instilled in all fans throughout the Ashley regime, but Pardew’s party line stance still leaves many unanswered questions for supporters.
Transfers
The burning question for all Newcastle fans since January 31st has been how and when that £35 million will be spent. The manager said days before Carroll was sold that he would not be leaving, and when it happened, he was quick to reassure fans that the full amount would be spent- saying at the time: “This money has to be reinvested in the team, all of it, and he(Mike Ashley) has assured me of that. For the Newcastle fan, that is the most important message I can give today, that all that money will be used.”
Reassuring words and part of all of us wanted to believe that this would be the case; bring in 3 top draw players that could really push the team on, and this would of course be in addition to what we already have, not as a replacement.
However even though only one of our four new additions cost any money, Pardew claimed that a large chunk of the £35 million had gone, with agent’s fees being a main culprit in its disappearance. Now regardless of how inflated football prices are surely the manager can not truly believe this to be the case. Surely he should be banging the Chairman’s door down demanding that more of that cash is spent, and let’s not forget the extra money the club will have received through season ticket sales, Premier League placing money and shirt sales.
But no, he was not just accepting of the situation but more than happy with it and this has to the worrying thing. Strong managers don’t accept a situation where a player is sold over their head on a broken promise: weak managers, out of their depth, do.
Managing Style
And this is the point- is Pardew strong enough to command the respect of the players if he himself is being puppeteered by his boss. Can he make the big decisions, the ruthless calls. Will he be able to manage egos and show he is the man to lead us forward.
For arguments sake let’s say he did try, but failed to get Ashley to buy; how can he get players to do what he wants. There’s no doubting the players could well like him, but respecting him as a boss is a different matter.
It does seem as though he has tried to flex his muscles somewhat though by clearly defining different playing roles within the club. Some players he said will be playing every game mentioning the likes of Barton and Coloccini. Others, such as Ranger & Best, will simply be squad players and although this may show us more of Pardew the man, it’s also a dangerous ploy excluding players before a ball has been kicked. It may be a way of Pardew showing his master that he won’t be pushed around and that this team is his. But he should be cautious if trying to be more Ashley like as the exclusion tactic has hardly won the chairman many fans so far.
Onwards and Upwards
With five years still left on his current deal and the fact he is perceived as Ashley’s man, it’s a fair bet to say Pardew is here to stay.
The problem being though is how long he can continue to be a ‘Yes Man’; Danny Wallace tried it when answering yes to everyone’s questions and soon got a smack in the face when someone asked if he wanted to sleep with his wife.
And although it may be more of a proverbial slap in the face, Pardew has to be wary of it coming his way if he does not exert some authority soon.
However the whole situation feels like a good guy/bad guy Hollywood film. The likeable intern, promoted to a fancy new office in a role he probably shouldn’t be in. Going on to become the face of a corrupt organisation, but still able able to fumble his way through with his natural patter, seemingly unaware of the sinister events that are going on behind the scene.
Ok this may be slightly dramatic, but even though Pardew does claim to be his own man- it still seems to be another crafty Cockney who’s pulling all the strings
