Nolan: Pardew has drive to bring us success

Newcastle skipper Kevin Nolan is confident manager Alan Pardew has the same drive and determination to bring success to St James' Park as his players.

The former Reading, West Ham, Charlton and Southampton boss took over in the midst of a storm last December following Chris Hughton's untimely departure.

Owner Mike Ashley's decision to dispense with Hughton's services just months after he had guided the club back into the Barclays Premier League at the first time of asking did not go down well either with the fans or the players, and his replacement faced the delicate task of repairing bridges while at the same time attempting to steer the Magpies clear of the relegation battle.

But despite the loyalty to Pardew's predecessor which remained inside the dressing room, Nolan insists there was never any danger of a revolt.

He told NUFC TV: "Everyone was very unhappy with the treatment of Chris and how it went down, but the fact is the owners had a job to do and they thought they could get someone in who was going to take the club forward.

"You have got to respect those decisions and, as players, all we have got to do is make sure we are right for the new manager coming in, and that was the be all and end all of it."