Pardew wants a winning tribute
The Blues will arrive on Tyneside on Saturday for the first game to be played there since the famous St James' Park was controversially renamed the Sports Direct Arena, but with more important matters to the fore. Sunday's announcement of Wales manager Speed's death sent shock waves throughout football and had a particular effect in Newcastle, where the former midfielder had worn the black and white number 11 shirt with such distinction during six and a half years with the club. The Magpies will celebrate Speed's life before Saturday's game, and Pardew knows exactly how his players want to pay their own respects. He said: "Our players will be desperate for us to win to pay a tribute in that way. We can't guarantee that, of course, but we are going to try. "He was a great player here and a captain of this club, and he has been a big loss to us this week. "The training ground has been heavy, particularly the first two days, because we had a lot of staff and players who don't just remember him as a great player, but as a great person, so it has been a difficult week. "Even today, it was a little bit low, but hopefully by the time the game comes around, we can at least prepare ourselves mentally." Assistant boss John Carver, who worked with Speed during his time as number two to Sir Bobby Robson, and players Steve Harper, Shola Ameobi and Steven Taylor, all knew him well, and Pardew knows he and the rest of his staff will have a job to do before kick-off with Carver having been hit particularly hard. He said: "He's going to take part...he's not okay, he's very, very upset. "He was very close to Gary and he's going to find it probably more difficult than anyone on Saturday. "I will put my arm around him and get him right for the game because he's very important to us. "I don't think the players will have a problem to respond once the ball is kicked and competitive action starts, but there will certainly be one or two players in that line-up who will be very, very upset, for sure. "I will make sure my coaching team will go round and get them right for the game." Newcastle head into the game fourth in the Premier League table and ahead of Chelsea, a remarkable achievement considering the pessimistic forecasts of some commentators after another turbulent summer. However, achieving the 40 points which more often than not secure top-flight status remains the overwhelming aim for Pardew. He said: "As I am here, that will be the first target for us, and to get it as quickly as we can, because then you can start putting in other targets. "I have seen many times in this Premier League teams reach 40 points and their ambition dies. "It's very important to get that early so you have got another goal of Europe or a cup or something to really attack." Meanwhile, Pardew refused to be drawn into the ongoing war of words between midfielder Joey Barton and his former club after his latest outburst prompted managing director Derek Llambias to call in the lawyers. The manager said: "I keep asking myself why? Why does he keep cropping up? "The team is doing exceptionally well but unfortunately Joey's comments take away the positive nature of what we are doing here in terms of the players' performances, which have been absolutely brilliant. "Anybody who takes that limelight away from my players, I'm not particularly keen on, if I'm honest. "It is a bit frustrating, but you have got to put in into the perspective of the week we are having, and it means nothing, really."