Newcastle boss Alan Pardew laughs off sacking jibe

Under-fire Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has laughed off talk of Mike Ashley saying he is “finished’’ if his side lose at Stoke on Monday.

Ashley’s lawyer issued a statement insisting the Toon owner’s comments to a reporter outside a Soho pub were “tongue-in-cheek’’.

And Pardew sees them as a new twist on a vote of confidence from the billionaire sports retailer.

The rock-bottom Magpies are still without a league victory this season, and have won only one of their last 13 top-flight games.

But Pardew, whose future has been the subject of intense speculation, said of Ashley: “I think he was trying to be supportive in his own kind of way.

“They are what they are, and unfortunately we’ve had those sort of headlines for two or three weeks.

“Sometimes things are taken out of context. If it was a sit-down interview done in a serious manner, I would be more concerned than I am today, that’s for sure.

“I’ve not seen Mike. I’ve spoken to him this week. He’s obviously very keen for us to get victories. That’s what he’s about. That’s what we’re about winning.

“I’ve been made aware of his comments in the paper. I’ve been under pressure at this club for a number of weeks. All I can focus on now is the team and that’s what I’ll do.

“You have to be focused on what the goal is. There’s a simple goal for us on Monday night we want to get a win.”

Wednesday’s 3-2 Capital One Cup extra-time win at Crystal Palace with 10 men was a boost for Pardew.

French frontman Emmanuel Riviere, a £6-million summer signing from Monaco, broke his competitive goal duck with a double strike, including a penalty.

That was after Papiss Cisse came off the bench to score twice and salvage a 2-2 home draw with Hull last Saturday.

Pardew was also impressed with striker Adam Armstrong, 17, who made his full debut against Palace.

“You’re going to carry some scars as the week progresses,’’ admitted Pardew.

“You can get an injury, the team doesn’t function in training or the Press are giving you a hard time. So it does change your mood when you get lifts like we’ve had this week.

“We’ve looked okay in the majority of games and have deserved more points. But, at the same time, we’ve looked like we’re not going to score too many goals.

“So there have been some bonuses, particularly in the striking department. Papiss got two goals, Arma after a nervous 15 minutes played well at Palace and, even more importantly, Riviere got two goals.”

Pardew is waiting to see if Cisse, Yoan Gouffran and keeper Tim Krul have shaken off bugs.