Pardew wants top-four finish
February 03, 2012 11:47:04 UK
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has thrown down a Champions League challenge to his players, saying they have "15 cup finals" to play.
Pardew's side are fifth in the table, three points behind Chelsea in fourth, and are now 5.50 to finish the season in the Champions League places, while Chelsea are at 351.00.
It's a great opportunity now and hopefully we can achieve something special.
Alan Pardew
"We've got to keep it going and chase down Chelsea," said the Newcastle boss.
"It's a great opportunity now and hopefully we can achieve something special.
"It's incredible. We're fifth and above Arsenal and Liverpool.
"We've got 39 points and we're safe so that's one job done. Now we've got 15 cup finals and it's all to play for."
Newcastle take on Aston Villa on Sunday aiming to build on the win over Blackburn last time out and pile more pressure on Chelsea. Goalkeeper Tim Krul is looking forward to coming up against former mentor Shay Given, who spent 12 years on Tyneside before moving to Manchester City in 2009 and on to Villa last year.
The Magpies are 10.00 to defeat Villa 2-0, and Krul can be backed at 3.00 to keep a clean sheet.
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"He's my teacher," Krul told the club's official website.
"He taught me a lot when I came to the club so I owe him a lot, and I'm looking forward to seeing him."
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