Boss' Sympathy For KO'd Kids

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Alan Pardew had sympathy for his young makeshift side, as Newcastle United bowed out of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.

The Magpies were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline at the American Express Community Stadium, as Andrea Orlandi and Will Hoskins struck in each half to put Brighton into the fourth round draw.

Without a number of key, senior players due to injury and international commitments, manager Pardew was forced to field an inexperienced line-up on the South Coast.

And he thought that - coupled with the second-half sending-off of captain Shola Ameobi - was the key factor during a frustrating 90 minutes.

"It was difficult for us because we put such a young side out there," Pardew told nufcTV.

"We feared whether we had enough today and I hoped we could get to 65-70 minutes before getting a fresh (Sylvain) Marveaux on there to create a bit of magic for us.

"But the situation ran away with us. There was the sending off, Perchy got injured so we had to shuffle the pack again and all that disruption knocked us off kilter.

"The younger players gave everything they could but they should not be here today, representing Newcastle United in the third round of the FA Cup.

"They should be in the development team, but that is where we were today."

Ameobi was handed a second yellow card by referee Lee Probert for an innocuous trip on Seagulls full-back David Lopez out on the touchline.

And Pardew believes it was harsh decision, not helped by the Spaniard's reaction.

"It's a tough one," said the boss.

"It was a nothing challenge, the referee is walking over and I think is going to let it go and give (Shola) the benefit of the doubt.

"But the player is rolling around making a meal of it. He looks up, sees the referee, and hasn't helped him (Ameobi) as a fellow professional."

To watch the full nufcTV post-match interview with Alan Pardew, click here.