Wigan Athletic 0:1 Newcastle - Pardew happy with United win

Posted Sunday, January 02, 2011 by PA

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew praised his team's efforts in overcoming Wigan without injured top-scorer Andy Carroll - before revealing the striker could be back in time for the derby clash with Sunderland later this month.

Shola Ameobi, in the Magpies side as a replacement for Carroll, sealed the 1-0 victory at the DW Stadium with a close-range finish in the 19th minute after a defensive error by Steven Gohouri.

Having dispossessed the Ivorian, Joey Barton struck an effort which Ali Al Habsi managed to parry, but Peter Lovenkrands hit the loose ball against a post and Ameobi was on hand to tuck away the rebound.

The result made for a welcome start to 2011 for Pardew as Newcastle bounced back from defeats against Manchester City and Tottenham and moved up to 10th place in Barclays Premier League.

"I'm very pleased with the discipline of the team," Pardew said.

"Some of the things that have cost in the past, we eradicated to a degree.

"I asked them to play a high line, which they carried out, and they made it difficult for Wigan to play their natural game. We stifled them really well.

"We lost Andy Carroll but everyone pulled their socks up and reacted in the right manner."

Pardew stressed that reports Carroll's thigh injury might keep him out for over a month were wide of the mark, suggesting the 21-year-old England international could come into contention for the Tyne-Wear derby on January 16 which follows Newcastle's league match against West Ham and FA Cup third round tie at Stevenage.

"We debated when he got this injury how serious it was with the medical staff and the answer is that we don't know," Pardew said.

"He will definitely miss West Ham (on Wednesday) and I think he'll definitely miss Stevenage (next Saturday), but talking to the boy, he thinks he is ready for Sunderland already.

"I've got to make a call on that game as to whether he is putting himself at risk and we'll have to see, but it's touch-and-go."

Pardew wants to bolster his attack and in this month's transfer window, he has been linked with moves for Tottenham duo Robbie Keane and David Bentley.

Asked about the pair, Pardew said: "I can't say we haven't spoken to Spurs because I was speaking to them last week and we talked about players.

"I think they want to do some movement and we want to do some movement.

"Whether we take a player from Spurs is a question I can't answer, but we are looking at the market and we want to bring an offensive player in.

"I have made no mistake about that with the board and with the press - I want an offensive player."

Asked if Spurs target David Beckham might be an option for Newcastle, Pardew said: "I don't know.

"I think he is a player that could play in this team and could add something to this squad, but whether he is available to us, I am not aware of yet."

If Wigan are to get out of their current predicament, just one point and one place above the relegation zone, keeping hold of a player like on-loan Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley could be vital.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was watching as Cleverley enjoyed some good moments against Newcastle and Latics boss Roberto Martinez remains hopeful the youngster will see out the one-year deal he signed at the DW Stadium in August.

"I haven't spoken with Sir Alex," Martinez said. "At the moment nothing is changing. He is on loan until the end of the season.

"Obviously Man United have the option to call him back, as with any other loan, but at the moment nothing has been said."