Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has declared that he can take heart from reaching 100 Premier League games in charge on Tyneside during a difficult week for the club.
The Magpies suffered a 4-0 defeat at Manchester City on Monday in their opening league game, with their preparation for that match marred by Arsenal's £10m bid for Yohan Cabaye.
Pardew has admitted that he feels for the fans who saw Newcastle struggle with 10 men at the Etihad, but backed his under-fire side to respond against West Ham United this weekend.
He told reporters: "It's not been the easiest of weeks. There have been a few agendas in my time as Newcastle manager, but this has certainly been very colourful. But it's my hundredth Premier League game in charge of Newcastle this week and I'm very proud of that.
"We need to get a couple of results and pretty quickly I think. Two home games give us a new chance after a difficult night on Monday when there were a whole manner of issues going on. I have to say on reflection in the first half I think we played very well but they came at us from all angles and unfortunately on the night we couldn't quite cope with it - on another night it might have been easier for us.
"More than anything I feel sorry for our fans, this whole situation of watching their team struggle and get a sending-off and one of the best midfielders in the world not playing, it's hard to take."
Cabaye is expected to return for Newcastle against the Hammers, but Steven Taylor will miss out through suspension.
Liam Power
