Pardew Plays It Safe - And He's Right

It's funny how quickly expectations can rise. At the beginning of last season, a good segment of Newcastle United fans would have been happy with a campaign that didn't involve a relegation fight.

Now, after Newcastle missed out on a Champions League berth by just five points, a good chunk of those same fans will be expecting a similar showing next season. Which is why Alan Pardew has already begun the process of managing expectations.

"I'm hoping that I will educate our fans for next season," Pardew told the London Evening Standard in an interview that was published Tuesday. "If they think we can finish fifth with a European campaign and the finances we've got, it's impossible. I honestly believe that you need to be a bit more open with the fans. The problem some managers have is they're not open enough."

"... This year, I'm sure we'll say something like, 'We're looking for a top-eight finish, hopefully attack one of the cups and have a great run in Europe.' I wouldn't say we couldn't challenge for the top six if we got knocked out of Europe. Then we wouldn't have those extra 13 games."

Sure, those quotes might be a bit of a buzzkill for some fans who are dreaming of seeing Newcastle back in the Champions League. Impossible might be too strong of a word, but Pardew is right to take a pragmatic approach. The overall quality of Newcastle's squad simply isn't yet at the point where it can handle a European campaign while also battling it out for a top-five Premier League finish. As fun as it will be to see Newcastle back in Europe, the Europa League is a long and arduous competition that involves lengthy travel and schedule congestion. Success in Europe will almost assuredly take a toll on United's Premier League performance.

Newcastle figures to improve its roster this summer, both in terms of depth and quality - a process that kicked off Wednesday with confirmation that French midfielder Romain Amalfitano will join the club July 1 - but Mike Ashley isn't going to sanction a major spending spree. It's all part of the slow and steady plan that Newcastle has adopted over the past two years.

Eventually, Pardew might be able to honestly tell us that the club is aiming for the Champions League. But not yet.

Comments

[JP...from The Rock]

Well done again Pardiola. He knows what to say and when, always speaks sense-what a great manager we have, Manager of The Year! :)

[Ryan]

Agree with JP. Pardew is fantastic, and I am happy with the honesty. I would rather have him be honest than tell us all a cloud of lies. We have had enough of that the past few years. Even if the truth hurts it's better than deceit. Pardew has been a blessing for us, and I am thankful he is our manager. Now on to a busy offseason of strengthening the club. Howay!

[Brian Sizemore]

Excellent! NUFC overachieved. They would need a favorable schedule to line up with the competitions. They need a second "lucky" run, their scouting and purchases need to be at the same excellent level, and hopefully, they can last long enough in the Europa while keeping up in the EPL to gain a little more financing for additional purchases. Scouting must keep up its excellent work.

[Jim Richardson]

Managing fans expectations is only one side of the matter. This is also sending a message to potential recruits that we don't think we will be in the Champions league after next season .