Manager who admitted just days ago his job was on the line is told to carry on with planning for summer signings and pre-season
Mag-nificent! Pardew looks like being Newcastle boss again next seasonPA
Alan Pardew has been told to plan for next season in a major hint his job is safe.
Newcastle manager Pardew admitted last week he faces an "uncomfortable" end of season showdown with owner Mike Ashley, and that his boss could decide to find a new manager.
But after securing Premier League safety on Sunday with a win at QPR that was watched by Ashley and MD Derek Llambias, the message to Pardew was to get on with his job, and decide what is required to build for the future.
The Magpies will hold an inquest into what went wrong this season and thrash out transfer targets with Pardew and chief scout Graham Carr, as well as confirm pre-season plans in the next fortnight, before any holidays are taken.
Pardew was at the centre of a storm on Monday after saying he didn't care if Newcastle lost 4-0 against Arsenal - who are still fighting with Tottenham over Champions League qualification - next week, now that they are safe.
The quip was heavily criticised by fans and Pardew insisted it was a flippant joke made as he tried to to express his relief at getting the job done at Loftus Road.
He said: "I know people will have picked up on my comments about not caring about the result against Arsenal, which were of course a joke.
"It is definitely not the case that I would be happy for us to lose 4-0 against Arsenal on Sunday. I simply want our players and fans to be able to enjoy the game without looking over their shoulders.
"Even though we are now safe we will be putting in the same effort that we would for any other Premier League game.
"Our last two results at St James' Park - against Sunderland and Liverpool - have been nowhere near good enough, and Sunday gives us the chance to put that right.
"We want to end the season on a positive, to finish in as high a position as possible and to give the fans something to cheer about on the final day of what has been a frustrating season.
"Arsenal will be doing everything they can to try and achieve a Champions League spot and we won't make it easy for them, make no mistake about that.
"This is a game everyone at this football club wants to win."
Hatem Ben Arfa struck an optimistic note, predicting a change in fortunes next season. He said: "Next year we start another season and I think we're going to be very, very high in the table.
"I think we're going to do a big pre-season and I hope we start well. If we start well, I think it can be a very good season like last year."
NEWCASTLE veteran Steve Harper has admitted it is time to “step off the rollercoaster” and find a new club, writes John Cross.
He will play his final game for the Magpies against Arsenal on Sunday with first-choice goalkeeper Tim Krul injured and back-up Rob Elliot banned.
Harper, 38, who is being released after becoming the longest-serving player in the club’s history last August, is hoping to carry on playing.
He said: “I’m leaving Newcastle after 20 years. I’ll be listening to offers, but we shall see. I’ll be on holiday and my phone will be on.
“Newcastle is a rollercoaster. There’s highs and lows – but it’s time to step off the rollercoaster!”
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