Pardew expects positive reaction (From The Northern Echo)

Pardew expects positive reaction

10:19am Monday 4th March 2013 in Sport By Steph Clark, Sports Reporter

HE called Newcastle United's defeat to Swansea 'galling', but Alan Pardew is confident his squad will produce a positive reaction when they resume their Europa League campaign on Thursday.

There was also promising news on the injury front for Pardew, who revealed Fabricio Coloccini could return from his back injury next Sunday, while Hatem Ben Arfa will be part of the squad that travels to Moscow.

The Magpies boss cut a frustrated figure in the wake of his side's 1-0 defeat in south Wales, which came courtesy of Luke Moore's 86th minute strike at the Liberty Stadium.

Pardew's men had dominated their hosts in the second half, but one lapse in concentration from his back four meant the Tynesiders will go into their Europa League last 16 tie against Anzhi on the back of a defeat, which sees them drop back down to 15th in the Premier League table.

Now, after their 700-mile round trip to face the Swans, Newcastle must embark on a near 4000-mile round trip to take on Anzhi. Pardew, however, insists that shouldn't stop the Magpies bouncing back from Saturday's defeat and is confident he will get a reaction on Thursday.

"I don't worry about the team," Pardew said. "I think the team is strong. It's just disappointing not to get anything on the day and that's what our over-riding memory of this will be, of disappointment.

"There's not much I can say (about combining Europe with domestic matters). It's a competition that you have to suck it and see and your players react differently from playing well on a Thursday but not on the Sunday. You've got to get both right, but it's difficult and you do need a bigger squad for sure.

"It is difficult to come to a place like Swansea and then go to Moscow, but we knew that was the case and that shouldn't stop us. The defeat today is galling, we deserved to take something out of it but we go back with nothing."

Coloccini will miss Thursday's tie with the back injury he sustained while clearing the ball with an overhead kick last weekend.

The Magpies' medical team have advised Pardew playing on the Luzhniki Stadium's Astroturf surface could result in more damage, but Pardew believes he could have his captain back when Stoke visit St James' Park in six days.

Ben Arfa, meanwhile, didn't travel at the weekend, despite being pencilled in for a cameo return, but Pardew revealed the Frenchman will travel with the rest of the squad to Russia.

The Newcastle boss admitted last week he is concerned over the midfielder's general fitness, but it is thought a few extra days on the training ground could see him make an appearance against Anzhi.

Steven Taylor will lead the defence in Coloccini's absence and Pardew will ask for more of the same after the English defender produced a heroic display at Swansea.

Taylor made three crucial goal-line clearances at the Liberty Stadium and Pardew admitted his centre back - along with most of his other players - didn't deserve to finish on the losing team.

"No, he (Taylor) didn't deserve to be on the losing team. But it's the same with a lot of the players out there. Moussa in the second half was absolutely brilliant and it's difficult to look them in the eye and say, 'should have played better'.

"With Fabricio out at the moment, it's important we have him and I thought he was excellent.

"I thought Rob Elliot played well. And Mapou (Yanga-Mbiwa). Coming in for two class players, it's difficult. We have our own emotions but I feel sorry for them, because they've played well and we've got nothing.

"We're disappointed and frustrated that we didn't even get a draw because we more than deserved it.

"First half we sat off them a little bit for 20 minutes and that's when you know they're going to cause problems, but we put that right at half- time and just looking from the side, I knew they had settled for the draw.

"They knew they were doing well to stay in it. I honestly thought that, but when we didn't score in that period we knew any mistake could be costly and that's actually what happened.

"We're a strong side. To come here and play as well as we did in the second half and boss Swansea at home, not many teams do that here, because they're a good team.

"You don't win the League Cup and be having the good season they're having without being a good side."