Alan Pardew received a decidedly unwelcoming reception upon his arrival in Newcastle this week after replacing the beloved Chris Hughton as manager. That should have made Newcastle's 3-1 home win over Liverpool on Saturday that much sweeter for Pardew as he undoubtedly got his reign at the club off to a far better start anyone in Newcastle expected, save Mike Ashley.
Despite the result, any hopes Pardew had of the club's players and fans immediately forgetting about Hughton and instantly falling in love with him were soon dashed as that old scamp Joey Barton accepted his Man of the Match award for scoring the winner.
Said Barton to ESPN:
''It was a tough week. We were all disappointed to lose Chris. He was a great man and everyone has said how dignified he was and how much of a gentleman he was. 'He's one of the nice guys of football and it's a shame. It's a cruel game.''
Yes, Joey Barton, it is a cruel game. Especially when your teammate puts a cigar out in your eyeball.
Anyway, when asked how impressed he's been with Pardew, Barton deadpanned, "It's only been two days." And when the interviewer points out that Perfect Pardew already has a win, Barton shrugged, "Well, I suppose, yeah -- it's more the lads." I mean, who even needs a manager, anyway!
But before Pardew could burst into tears over his players denying him any credit in the day's success, Barton offered one final shot after being presented with his very dangerous bottle of champagne for winning Man of the Match (3:05 into the video). "Can I just dedicate that to Chrissy [inaudible] [inaudible] [inaudible] thanks for everything you've done for us at the football club [inaudible] -- greatly appreciated, thank you."
Get used to this, Alan Pardew. Even if you win every match from now until the rest of the season, you'll probably still have everyone attributing it to Chrissy Hughton. And if you lose? Well, that's all your fault, naturally.
Vanessa Marcil Rachel McAdams Kristin Cavallari Brittany Murphy Britney Spears
No comments:
Post a Comment