Pardew Ponders Set-Piece Re-Think

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Alan Pardew admits he may have a set-piece "re-think" before Newcastle United head to Everton in their next Premier League fixture.

The Magpies' manager was unhappy with his side's free-kicks and corners in their draw with Aston Villa on Sunday, as they failed to beat the first man time and time again.

And Pardew wants a vast improvement at Goodison Park in 13 days time, as he bids to get his troops to step up another gear following the international break.

"The set-plays were awful," said the boss.

"The delivery - we hit the first man five times. That's why for a coach, it was frustrating. We were really frustrated that we weren't hitting the areas.

"We are not brilliant at corners - our record suggests we haven't got great assets to score from corners.

"(Mike) Williamson has never scored since he has been here; Steven (Taylor) has only got two or three; Colo (Fabricio Coloccini) hasn't got many goals.

"We are not proficient, and maybe we have to re-think about how we are going to score from set-plays.

"But as I am sitting here now, I still think we have had a decent start. We have had tough games - Tottenham was a tough game, we got three points; Aston Villa was another really tough game; two games in that European competition and Chelsea away.

"We have to take the four points and the qualification and say 'Okay, now we need to up it a gear'."