Pardew pledges Newcastle attack

New Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has vowed to stay on the offensive when his side head to St Andrews to take on Birmingham City on Saturday.

Pardew knows he has to win over large sections of the Newcastle faithful, who are still fuming at Chris Hughton’s sacking last week.

But the 49-year-old has promised he will deliver a team that will attack, which is some solace for supporters still upset at the way the popular Hughton was shown the door.

“I know that they will go down and try to make more noise than the majority of Birmingham fans,” Pardew said.

“My message to them is whatever tactical changes we make for this away game, we will try to win.”

“I just hope they can see that I’m a serious professional manager and working hard, that’s all I can do at the moment.”

“I am working as hard as I can and hopefully the results will come as well.”

Pardew was full of praise for Newcastle supporters, who he said were some of the most vocal in the world.

“I said when I arrived it is one of the biggest clubs in the country and a fantastic stage,” he said.

“The supporters here have a real passion and there is so much excitement behind the whole thing.”

“People talk about exciting Newcastle teams of the past and it is generated from the fans to urge you on. It is very much part of the season for us.”

Pardew has promoted Steve Stone from the club’s reserve team coaching set-up as his assistant while Willie Donachie moves from the Academy to the first team and former England international Chris Powell could also be brought on board.

“If I’m honest I could have 20 coaches here tomorrow if need be,” Pardew said. “But I have to get somebody who fits the right criteria to what I’m trying to do here.”

“I’ve moved Steve Stone up because what I found with him is he has the loyalty of the players.”

“The extra coach who comes in means we’ll have one coach for every 10 players here.”

“That is the sort of figure you should have at a top club.”

Pardew will likely stick with Tim Krul in goal even though Steve Harper is back from a shoulder injury and also has a decision to make on his central defenders, with Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson both back from suspension.

However, Sol Campbell is suffering from an illness and Shola Ameobi is in doubt with a hamstring problem, meaning Nile Ranger and Steven Taylor respectively are on standby as cover.