Last year's team selection by Rafa Benitez remains a sore point for Alan Pardew.
ADDICKS boss Alan Pardew has promised the teams struggling to beat the drop from the Championship this season his Charlton side will take Saturday's game at Barnsley seriously.
Barnsley need only one more win to secure safety and the FA Cup semi-finalists will be looking at the visit of Charlton to Oakwell as the best chance to get it.
The Addicks have nothing to play for mathematically now their outside hopes of reaching the play-offs have gone, but Pardew is keen to reassure the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester his side will be taking the game seriously.
Rafa Benitez's decision to field a weakened team at Fulham while Charlton were still battling to beat the drop last year remains as sore a point with Pardew as it does with Neil Warnock, then in charge of Sheffield United, and the SE7 manager has vowed there will be no repeat from his side.
Pardew said: "I was a victim of Rafa Benitez's team which played at Fulham when he played a whole reserve team and that sticks in my throat still, so I'm not going to have it thrown at me by other managers about the selections of my team.
"They certainly need a win and a home game is where they will be looking for it.
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"For us it is a tough game because I've got to be very careful with the team and we don't lose focus."
He added: "We've tried to keep the players' focus and put some priority on this game and how important it is to finish well.
"We need to take that into Barnsley because otherwise we are going to get beaten and that is the last thing we want to happen."
Speculation has already begun on who Pardew will be drafting in during the summer with newspaper reports today suggesting Plymouth defender Paul Connolly was on his way to The Valley.
However, the manager revealed he wouldn't even be aware of his budget until after a board meeting this afternoon so any rumours about potential arrivals were extremely wide of the mark.
He explained: "It is not true in terms of Connolly joining us and I don't know how these rumours begin.
"At the moment we haven't contacted any agent or player for next year.
"We are waiting for our budget to come through to see who we can talk to and who is available to be talked to legally and then we will make our decisions."
Skipper Matt Holland has indicated he would like to stay in SE7, but Pardew said nothing would be decided about his future until the summer.
He added: "I haven't spoke to Matty so I think it is a little unfair to speak publicly about him.
"He won player of the year and is our captain, so I will be sitting down with him and having discussions about next year and what the future holds for Matty Holland and Charlton."
Charlton will be without the services of loan signings Leroy Lita and Lee Cook for the remainder of the season after the pair returned to Reading and Fulham respectively.
Pardew indicated last week he would like Cook to stay at The Valley next season, but confirmed today a permanent switch was now off the agenda.
He said: "Lee did get a knock on Saturday, but I decided I didn't want to use his services anymore.
"I don't see we would be in a position to be able to take Cook permanently and that is one of the reasons he has gone back.
"With his stature in the game, his value, the contract he has at Fulham and the position they are in suggests he will stay there in my view."
Lloyd Sam (thigh), Jerome Thomas (hamstring) and Zheng Zhi (groin) will all miss the Barnsley game through injury.
Posted by: Steve Double, Liverpool on 7:36pm Thu 24 Apr 08
what a ridiculous and insulting headline. Lets get somethging straight - Liverpool FC were in the FINAL of the champions league and so had every right to field a second string side against Fulham. The alternative would be to risk injuriing key players, and for what?...to keep sub standard teams in the top flight because they weren't capable of doing it themselves? Behave yourself. If Pardew or Warnock ever get a side to the final of the most prestigious tournament in the world then maybe they'l be qualified to pass comment. Until then I suggest they belt up.
what a ridiculous and insulting headline. Lets get somethging straight - Liverpool FC were in the FINAL of the champions league and so had every right to field a second string side against Fulham. The alternative would be to risk injuriing key players, and for what?...to keep sub standard teams in the top flight because they weren't capable of doing it themselves? Behave yourself. If Pardew or Warnock ever get a side to the final of the most prestigious tournament in the world then maybe they'l be qualified to pass comment. Until then I suggest they belt up.
Posted by: H Blocker, Kent on 9:46pm Thu 24 Apr 08
I suggest that Liverpool fan stops using the computer as I have no idea how he can afford to 1. Have a computer 2. Aafford the internet when he must be on the dole... however I am sure the hub cap thefts must be going well!
I suggest that Liverpool fan stops using the computer as I have no idea how he can afford to 1. Have a computer 2. Aafford the internet when he must be on the dole... however I am sure the hub cap thefts must be going well!
Posted by: Rob, Chislehurst on 1:00pm Fri 25 Apr 08
Over the course of a season teams get relegated because they are simply not good enough. It's time these poor managers accepted the blame for not doing thier jobs properly. The only reason he will be playing his strongest line up so his "stars" can stay in the shop window. And i can't understand why someone thinks that being beaten in the Final of the Champions League is something that can be mocked.
Over the course of a season teams get relegated because they are simply not good enough. It's time these poor managers accepted the blame for not doing thier jobs properly. The only reason he will be playing his strongest line up so his "stars" can stay in the shop window. And i can't understand why someone thinks that being beaten in the Final of the Champions League is something that can be mocked.
We did go down because we weren't good enough. But the whole point of the league is that everyone plays each other twice home and away and compare and contrast the team Liverpool put out at the Valley when they beat us 3-0 before christmas with the one they sent out at Fulham in April. Big difference.
We did go down because we weren't good enough. But the whole point of the league is that everyone plays each other twice home and away and compare and contrast the team Liverpool put out at the Valley when they beat us 3-0 before christmas with the one they sent out at Fulham in April. Big difference.
[quote][bold]Steve Double[/bold] wrote:
what a ridiculous and insulting headline. Lets get somethging straight - Liverpool FC were in the FINAL of the champions league and so had every right to field a second string side against Fulham. The alternative would be to risk injuriing key players, and for what?...to keep sub standard teams in the top flight because they weren\'t capable of doing it themselves? Behave yourself. If Pardew or Warnock ever get a side to the final of the most prestigious tournament in the world then maybe they\'l be qualified to pass comment. Until then I suggest they belt up.[/quote] Then why bother in the Prem at all. just carry on week by week making sure Liverpool don't go down and save all your resources for the Champs Lge. Fact is, Rafa played a weak side and got beat - this was disrespectful to the other Prem teams at the bottom.
Steve Double wrote:
what a ridiculous and insulting headline. Lets get somethging straight - Liverpool FC were in the FINAL of the champions league and so had every right to field a second string side against Fulham. The alternative would be to risk injuriing key players, and for what?...to keep sub standard teams in the top flight because they weren\'t capable of doing it themselves? Behave yourself. If Pardew or Warnock ever get a side to the final of the most prestigious tournament in the world then maybe they\'l be qualified to pass comment. Until then I suggest they belt up.
Then why bother in the Prem at all. just carry on week by week making sure Liverpool don't go down and save all your resources for the Champs Lge. Fact is, Rafa played a weak side and got beat - this was disrespectful to the other Prem teams at the bottom.
Posted by: Rob, Chislehurst on 2:47pm Fri 25 Apr 08
Yes thats true, but he did not change his side just because of who we were playing, it was done as there was a more important match the week after. I think you will find he also rested players prior to other big games during the season, the only difference is that Pardew felt hard done by for it. And also as a Liverpool fan, i do like to see the strongest possible line up for all games, but that's not going to happen is it. A lot of other teams and other managers do it, and i thank you for your opening line, i just wish others would also accept it.
Yes thats true, but he did not change his side just because of who we were playing, it was done as there was a more important match the week after. I think you will find he also rested players prior to other big games during the season, the only difference is that Pardew felt hard done by for it. And also as a Liverpool fan, i do like to see the strongest possible line up for all games, but that's not going to happen is it. A lot of other teams and other managers do it, and i thank you for your opening line, i just wish others would also accept it.
Posted by: Rob, Chislehurst on 2:51pm Fri 25 Apr 08
Phil, it had nothing to do with having no respect for a lower team, If you remember a few weeks ago at the Emirates, he done exactly the same thing, changed all 5 midfielders against a strong Arsenal side, not through lack of respect, but just to preserve against injury and tiredness. Why can't you just accept that?
Phil, it had nothing to do with having no respect for a lower team, If you remember a few weeks ago at the Emirates, he done exactly the same thing, changed all 5 midfielders against a strong Arsenal side, not through lack of respect, but just to preserve against injury and tiredness. Why can't you just accept that?
Posted by: The RevArmitageShanks, Bromley on 9:24am Sat 26 Apr 08
First and foremost Mr Double don't be so damned pedantic, you know 'full well' what Pardew was reffering to, simply playing a weakened side.It's ridiculous to try to associate the differing set of circumstances surrounding their respective decisions.
And secondly, may I suggest you supprt a team from your own locality and not go 'glory hunting' courtesy of Sky TV.
You've probably got a Liverpool shirt that you wear down the pub and on your holiday's but that doesn't make you a fan or a supporter in true football fans eyes but merely a 'follower' of Liverpool.
There's a huge difference my friend.
I wouldn't mind betting I've been to Anfield more times than you have!
First and foremost Mr Double don't be so damned pedantic, you know 'full well' what Pardew was reffering to, simply playing a weakened side.It's ridiculous to try to associate the differing set of circumstances surrounding their respective decisions.
And secondly, may I suggest you supprt a team from your own locality and not go 'glory hunting' courtesy of Sky TV.
You've probably got a Liverpool shirt that you wear down the pub and on your holiday's but that doesn't make you a fan or a supporter in true football fans eyes but merely a 'follower' of Liverpool.
There's a huge difference my friend.
I wouldn't mind betting I've been to Anfield more times than you have!
Posted by: David Dickface, Capital of Culture on 4:42pm Sat 26 Apr 08
I find all of this extremely funny all the time. You've got soft lad Warnock harping on about how he hates Rafa because he got him relegated. What Warnock mystically forgets is that he commented "At least I can rely on Sir Alex to field his best team against West Ham. [italic]italic[/italic] a look and see what team Sir Alex put out. Strongest, never. What did Warnock say about that? Nothing whatsoever.
P.S Do yous actually still think all this hubcaps **** is funny anymore, you need another Harry Enfield to come around sharpish because yous are going stale using your 25 year old jokes.
I find all of this extremely funny all the time. You've got soft lad Warnock harping on about how he hates Rafa because he got him relegated. What Warnock mystically forgets is that he commented "At least I can rely on Sir Alex to field his best team against West Ham. a look and see what team Sir Alex put out. Strongest, never. What did Warnock say about that? Nothing whatsoever.
P.S Do yous actually still think all this hubcaps **** is funny anymore, you need another Harry Enfield to come around sharpish because yous are going stale using your 25 year old jokes.
Posted by: Steve Double, Liverpool on 6:14pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Sorry to pish on yer chips Rev, but im a born and raised, proud citizen of Liverpool and ive had a season ticket since 1978.....and again, id suggest Pardew (and others) keep their noses out of other clubs affairs and concentrate on their own.
BTW - just seen the score from today. A lot of good that team selection did then eh?
Sorry to pish on yer chips Rev, but im a born and raised, proud citizen of Liverpool and ive had a season ticket since 1978.....and again, id suggest Pardew (and others) keep their noses out of other clubs affairs and concentrate on their own.
BTW - just seen the score from today. A lot of good that team selection did then eh?
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