Pardew pulls pin on festivities

Alan Pardew has cancelled Newcastle’s Christmas party as he feels they ‘have not done enough’ to warrant a festive celebration.

Their 3-1 defeat to Manchester City was their sixth loss in their past seven Premier League games, and they now sit just two points above the relegation zone in 15th position.

Trips to Dublin and Glasgow are examples of their yuletide excursions over recent years but the Magpies boss is not happy with how the team have performed and wants them to concentrate on turning their form around as soon as possible, with such a party offering an unwelcome distraction.

“It’s out of respect to our fans and what we have served them this year,” Pardew told the Evening Chronicle.

“There’s no party for us, and the same for the staff. That’s how it should be.

“Trust me, there have been horrible things said about our group and our staff, but we are together, and we are fighting and trying to put it right.

“The fans have to realise this isn’t just a game to us, it’s our livelihoods and our profession. It pays our bills.

“Not only that, we have to have a certain pressure of entertaining our fans, who pay good money to come and watch. Looking at all those factors, we have not done enough this year. That’s why I think it’s right we called it off.”