Pards admits Bent frustration

4:41pm Thursday 3rd April 2008

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ALAN Pardew has questioned Wigan's reluctance to take up their option to make Marcus Bent's loan move a permanent deal during January's transfer window.

The former Everton striker joined the Latics in August in a season-long loan deal and enjoyed a prolific start to life at the JJB Stadium, scoring seven goals before picking up an injury.

Pardew anticipated Steve Bruce would make the switch permanent in January, but the call didn't arrive and the forward faces the possibility of a return to SE7 in the summer.

The Addicks boss said: "I think Marcus was perhaps expecting Wigan to secure him in the last window and I think he probably deserved that for all he had done up to that period.

"It never materialised, so that has put him in a difficult position.

"Wigan asked if they could have him on loan and obviously (losing) the financial burden of Marcus was going to help us with the players we were going to bring in.

"He could come back de-motivated to me and that is a problem for me and I'm not particularly happy about that scenario.

"Marcus has given everything for Wigan and he will do so until the end of the year.

"Now if he comes back to me, I will sit down with Marcus and we will talk about next year. Whether I would be in a financial position to keep him remains to be seen."

When asked, Pardew also conceded Wigan's failure to seal the deal in January could have had an impact in the club's decision to sell Andy Reid to Sunderland for £4m on transfer deadline day.

"Maybe," he added ruefully, although he refused to elaborate the point.

Charlton have seen their promotion hopes diminish by the week since Reid's departure, although they are still in contention for the play-offs.

Pardew admitted the loss of the Irish midfielder has been a blow, but said it was a very tough call for all parties involved and one the club ultimately had to take.

He explained: "I knew Andy Reid was going to be a very important player for this club and as it has turned out, his loss has had an impact on us.

"This decision was one which was very, very difficult for the board and myself to take.

"In hindsight, we would have been put in a very difficult position if we had of kept Andy and not got promoted.

"We would have put other people's jobs at risk, so this decision was forced on us."

Charlton's slide down the table has seen Pardew come in for growing criticism from the club's supporters frustrated by the poor run of form.

The manager was quick to play down suggestions he just brushes off the stick which has been coming his way and added he would see the job through.

He said: "I've not come here to work a year, get promoted and drift off to another club as a manager.

"I'm going to put my roots here and try and make this club better than it was before and this is not going to happen with the mass change around we had straight away.

"I knew that but obviously I'm still hoping that we are going to get promoted this year, which I still think we've got a chance of doing."

On the personal criticism, Pardew added: "Of course it is not water off a duck's back for me.

"I've a huge responsibility to the chairman and directors, who have brought me here in good faith, and the fans to produce a team which is playing winning football.

"Now at the moment, my team is not looking particularly attractive and isn't winning.

"If you think I just go home and think it will be OK next week, I'm a good manager, I'm alright, it isn't as simple as that.

"I've had a lot of searching myself to make sure I am doing the best possible job for the fans here and I want them to rest assured I will leave no stone unturned this season to get us promoted.

"Likewise, I will analyse myself as well as my staff for next year and it's a collective responsibility.

"Those results are as much my fault as the players, the physio, the tea lady and everybody. We all share responsibility and we all share it when we win as well."