sport

Pardew putting down foundations

Alan Pardew believes the sensible approach favoured at Newcastle puts them in a strong position to build on their achievements this season.

The Magpies have enjoyed a productive 2011/12 campaign and remain in the hunt for a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League.

The North East outfit have surpassed all expectations, but Pardew insists the club have been building towards such success since he inherited the reins in 2010.

He says a plan to make the club self-sufficient has played into their hands and means the Magpies are in a position to cement their standing among the Premier League elite.

"From day one I've tried to be open and honest about the financial model we're operating. I understood the fans' initial resentment," Pardew told the Sunday Mirror.

"Mike [Ashley] set out to make Newcastle self-financing and I knew exactly what that framework entailed when I took the job in December 2010. I've aimed to be transparent with the supporters and give them clarity about what we are trying to achieve and how we will operate in the transfer market.

"They know that in certain circumstances we will sell players.

"At a club like this, where huge money was spent in the past on top players such as Alan Shearer and Michael Owen, it was inevitable that some would not be happy with our spend. Many were unhappy with the sale of Andy Carroll, but that £35million has helped us build a team that has exceeded all expectations this season.

"Our policy makes sound financial sense in a harsh economic climate and with UEFA financial fair play rules looming. Mike was determined that the club's future would not be put at risk by spending money we could not afford. We have all seen what has happened at Portsmouth and Rangers.

"Now I think a lot of Newcastle fans are starting to see the bigger picture and appreciate what we are doing makes sense. We set out to find value in the transfer market and I believe we have succeeded.

"We have been helped by the fact that signings such as Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba, Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye have come in and had an immediate impact.

"And I have been helped by the fact that the backroom staff I inherited are first-class.

"We have proved this season by breaking into the top six that we can be a force in the Premier League and we have laid foundations that I hope can keep us at the top end of the table in future years."