Pardew calms talk of title charge

Alan Pardew says Newcastle United fans are not getting carried away with the club’s unbeaten start to the English Premier League season.

Playing just their second campaign back in the top flight after being relegated in 2008/09, Newcastle are one of only two teams yet to lose this season, and sit a lofty third on the table.

Their record goes on the line on Saturday when they travel to face the other unbeaten side, league leaders Manchester City.

And there are two more tough assignments to follow in the coming weeks, with fixtures against Manchester United away and Chelsea at home.

Regardless of the outcome of Newcastle’s hardest run yet, Pardew believes the supporters are sensible enough to keep their expectations in check.

“When I’ve been around them (the fans) they’re just genuinely pleased where we are,” Pardew said.

“They’re realistic (enough) to know that if we can get something like two points, three points out of these three games, or possibly excel and get six or seven, we’re going to find ourselves in a really strong position.”

“But talk of Champions League or challenging for the title are ridiculous for us at the moment.”

“We’re just going along nicely. We’ve got a really good set of players, a good spirit and we go to the next game.”

While Newcastle can expect to be severely tested away to City, Pardew knows Roberto Mancini’s front-runners will also be under pressure, as they seek to confirm their title-challenging credentials.

“The next game happens to be a step up, as you say – by far the best team in the league,” he said, referring to City.

“They’re proving that at the moment, four or five points clear at the top and everybody chasing them. That’s when you find out (if) you’ve got champions (and) whether or not you can cope with that pressure.”

“Man United have done that for the last 15 years, or whatever, so Man City are trying to prove that now.”