Pardew Calls For Strength And Character

By Tom Easterby

Alan Pardew has urged his side to show their professionalism and resilience as they prepare to welcome Hull City to St. James' Park on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

The United manager watched his side go down 4-0 at Southampton last weekend and, with the defeat still fresh in the minds of the Club's supporters, the 53-year-old wants his team to put on a show in front of the Geordie faithful this weekend.

"It's about being professional, going out there on Saturday and being as strong as we can be and trying to win as many fans back with our performance as we can," he said.

"We need to get back to not too long ago and get that performance that we had at Villa, and get ourselves a win.

"With players and staff, what we have to do is try and make sure that we give as professional a performance as we can."

Steve Bruce's Tigers drew 2-2 at home with West Ham on Monday, with goals from deadline day signings Abel Hernandez and Mohamed Diame earning them a share of the points.

Pardew knows all about the challenge that lies in wait and called on his charges to put right the wrongs of the St. Mary's Stadium defeat.

"I don't fear the game - I think it's a tough game," said the boss.

"I have to say that Hull on Monday night were terrific, as I thought West Ham were, and it was a game you'd have to say was at the top Barclays Premier League level.

"The most important thing is that our team don't put in the performance they put in against Southampton, that we show that we're unaffected by surroundings, unaffected by the opposition and that our spirit is strong, and I like to think we can do that."

Tickets for Saturday's match are still available and can be purchased by clicking here.