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Pardew: 'No Room For Sentiment'
Written by Newcastle Utd
Former West Ham boss Alan Pardew returns to his old stomping ground on Saturday, but he's fully focussed on Newcastle gaining a much-needed result
By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Alan Pardew makes a return to West Ham United on Saturday but the Newcastle boss knows there is no room for sentiment at Upton Park.
In three years at the helm of the claret and blues, Pardew led them to promotion into the Premier League in 2005 before taking them to the FA Cup final the following year - only losing on penalties after an epic 3-3 draw against Liverpool.
He was somewhat harshly sacked midway through the following season but his legacy remains, with several of his former players remaining a key part of Sam Allardyce's side.
Added to that, a couple of his old Newcastle charges will also be on the opposing side on Saturday with Andy Carroll and Kevin Nolan lining up against the Magpies.
However, emotional reunions will be put to one side with United still battling relegation after last weekend's 6-0 loss to Liverpool and Pardew admitted: "I'd have liked it to be under different circumstances.
"I certainly didn't expect to be in this position at the start of the year, going there, but that's where we are and we have to accept that.
"We are where we are so the most important thing is the performance and a reaction to Saturday's game.
"It's a place I know very, very well of course and it's a teriffic place to play football; a passionate place, and a couple of my former colleagues are there.
"Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan, Mark Noble, James Collins - they've got a few there who all served me well and I'm looking forward to seeing them."