Pardew: Time to relax (From The Northern Echo)

Pardew: Time to relax

8:00am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Newcastle United News By Paul Fraser, Chief Football Writer

ALAN PARDEW thinks his Newcastle United squad can now relax, enjoy their football and see where the rest of the season takes them after climbing back up to fifth in the Premier League.

With Senegal strikers Papiss Cisse due back on Tyneside this morning after Africa Cup of Nations duty, the Magpies are looking to press on and stay in contention for a European place after overcoming Blackburn 2-0 last night.

Newcastle face Aston Villa at St James' Park on Sunday when a victory could even draw them level with Chelsea, the occupants of the final Champions League place.

But Pardew is not focusing on that. Instead, with Newcastle on 39 points after 23 games, he prefers to reflect on the success of the first five months of the season.

"Papiss and Demba come back tomorrow (Thursday) and we have done brilliant while they have been away," said Pardew. "When the guys went everyone thought it would be difficult for us.

"We have had two big, big victories without them against QPR and this one tonight. Those results have been about resolve, resilience and grit.

"We can now attack the second half of the season, we find ourselves fifth. It is incredible really. We are safe as well.

"That's a big barrier that we have overcome. We shouldn't get away from that, to get that under our belt first is great, now with the games we have left we have to see what we can do."

Despite fending off 20 shots from Blackburn, Newcastle managed to leave Ewood Park with three points courtesy of a deflected Ryan Taylor strike and a stoppage time second from Gabriel Obertan.

Pardew said: "We had 80 balls into the box and we knew Tim, and all of the players, would have to be strong. I felt we were fortunate, which we weren't at Brighton last Saturday.

"I am really pleased for Gabriel too. He was a massive part of that 13 game unbeaten run we had at the start of the season and he has had to wait for his chance again. He took his goal well."

Last night's win was secured without Yohan Cabaye, who started a three-match ban for violent conduct after his appeal against a FA charge was thrown out following his clash with Brighton's Adam El-Abd last weekend.

Newcastle now face Villa and Tottenham without Cabaye. Pardew said: "With the loss of Cabaye this morning, we knew it would be difficult. I am disappointed with the decision especially when Brighton and the pro game all came together to try to get him off the charge."