Pardew Looking For Home Comforts

By Tom Easterby

Alan Pardew has challenged his players to make St. James' Park a fortress as they look to bring the 2013/14 season to a close in style.

Newcastle United's boss wants to put on a much-improved display for the supporters, starting on Tyneside on Saturday against Swansea City (3pm kick off), after two back-to-back heavy home losses.

Following four defeats in their last five Barclays Premier League games, the Magpies now have three fixtures remaining to improve their fortunes before they travel to champions-elect Liverpool on the final day of the campaign.

"(There's been) three or four games that we've had where we've not really been at our best by any stretch of the imagination and we could be better, and we need to put that right on Saturday, hopefully with a performance that brings a bit more harmony back to the fans, the players and the group," insisted Pardew.

"We owe our fans - they pay good money and we have a stadium that really and truly should dictate proceedings for us, and we have to put that in gear.

"To put it in gear, you need to play well and the last couple of home games, we haven't, so we really need to give them something to shout about on Saturday."

Pardew also called on his goal-shy frontline to find their scoring touch against a Swans side who currently sit just three points above the final relegation place in the top flight.

More than 360 minutes of football has passed since United last found the target, when Papiss Cisse headed a late winner against Crystal Palace almost a month ago.

"I think we need to threaten the goal when you're at home more than we have in recent home games," said the manager.

"I think certainly on Saturday, Stoke made it difficult for us to really put an attacking performance on the pitch with the players.

"But this week, I think we've got players that can hopefully disrupt Swansea and cause them problems and create some chances, and hopefully get some much-needed goals, let alone points."