"I've always rated Alan Pardew. He's galvanised Newcastle... he's done a great job."
- Sir Alex Ferguson
24/11/2011 09:00, Report by Adam Bostock
Sir Alex Ferguson has sung the praises of opposite number Alan Pardew ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League match against Newcastle United.
The Reds boss says he's been unsurprised by the Magpies' flying start to 2011/12, given his admiration for the manager they appointed last December. Pardew has followed up on his first task - to keep Newcastle in the top flight - by steering his side to as high as third place this term.
"I’ve always respected Alan Pardew, I’ve always rated him," declared Sir Alex, in an exclusive interview with Inside United and ManUtd.com.
"I think he was unfairly treated at West Ham and at Southampton, it was ridiculous actually. He took West Ham to the FA Cup final and was one minute away from winning the Cup. He was so unlucky."
Pardew - an opposing player with Crystal Palace when Sir Alex won his first United trophy, the FA Cup in 1990 - was sacked as Hammers manager only seven months after they lost the 2006 final to Liverpool on penalties.
It was a similar story with the Saints, only this time his dismissal followed a victory, in the 2010 Football League Trophy final. By last Christmas, he was back in management again, succeeding Chris Hughton at St James' Park.
"Alan’s done a great job at Newcastle," continued Sir Alex.
"He’s galvanised them and got them fighting for each other. I watched their recent 2-2 draw at home to Tottenham and it was a great game, end to end, with both teams trying to win. There was a really good attitude among both sets of players. They were fighting for every ball.
"When you’ve got a Newcastle team doing that, with their great support behind them, you know you’re going to get a difficult game."
Pardew's last duel with Sir Alex was at Old Trafford on 10 February 2007, when his Charlton Athletic side lost 2-0 to goals from Ji-sung Park and Darren Fletcher.
source : Manutd
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