Pardew: Bring On Tottenham

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has laid down the gauntlet ahead of Sunday’s mouth-watering tie with Tottenham by inisisting his side fear nobody.

The Magpies command fourth in the Premier League currently, boasting an unbeaten start to the season. Pardew’s troops welcome Spurs on Sunday to St. James’ Park, who themselves are on a four-match winning run. The Toon boss, however, urged his players to feed off the confidence built since the start of term.

“I think at home, we don’t really fear anybody,” said Pardew. “We didn’t last year, when we had different characters in the dressing room – Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan don’t carry that fear – but we’ve got a different side this year and their lack of fear comes from the run that we’ve been on and the confidence they have in each other.

“We look, on the training ground, a confident team and that always is how you want to go into a game – in a real confident manner, and that’s where we are at the moment.”

Last season, Spurs were indebted to Aaron Lennon’s late equaliser in a 1-1 draw, and Pardew is adamant that Harry Redknapp’s charges will be in for a fight once again.

“I think at home, Harry’s bright enough to know that we’re a force whatever team runs out for Newcastle,” he said.

“But particularly this year, we’ve been strong at home. I think we’ve won a couple of games quite comfortably but this is a much sterner test.

“But I do feel that they will certainly be making provisions to stop us doing what we do well, and we will be doing the same for them.”

Newcastle will cement their top four stature if they’re victorious, whilst Spurs can leapfrog the Magpes if they head back to London with three points.