Pardew praises Newcastle discipline

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was delighted with his side’s performance during their 1-0 victory over Wigan on Sunday.

At the DW Stadium, Shola Ameobi’s first-half tap-in was all that separated the sides, though there was no denying that Newcastle deserved the three points.

Pardew was particularly pleased with his side’s defensive display as a frustrated Wigan failed to beat goalkeeper Steve Harper.

“I’m very pleased with the discipline of the team,” Pardew said.

“Some of the things that have cost in the past, we eradicated to a degree. I asked them to play a high line, which they carried out, and they made it difficult for Wigan to play their natural game. We stifled them really well.”

“We lost Andy Carroll but everyone pulled their socks up today and reacted in the right manner.”

Pardew ruled out reports that Carroll would miss a month with a thigh injury, indicating that the striker may return for the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland in a fortnight.

“We debated when he got this injury how serious it was with the medical staff and the answer is that we don’t know,” he said.

“He will definitely miss West Ham (on Wednesday) and I think he’ll definitely miss Stevenage (next Saturday), but talking to the boy, he thinks he is ready for Sunderland already.”

“I’ve got to make a call on that game as to whether he is putting himself at risk and we’ll have to see, but it’s touch-and-go.”

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, meanwhile, was far from impressed with his side’s diplay.

“I think it’s quite clear that the way we play we always need a high tempo and a real high energy but we couldn’t find today,” Martinez said.

“It was a very scrappy game, a very poor performance from our side and I didn’t feel it was good football.”

Martinez is also hopeful that on-loan midfielder Tom Cleverley will remain at the club despite reports linking him with a return to Old Trafford.

“I haven’t spoken with Sir Alex,” he said.

“He is on loan until the end of the season. Obviously Man United have the option to call him back, as with any other loan, but at the moment nothing has been said.”