Remy feels the love at Newcastle
However, in the wake of the 26-year-old Frenchman’s first-half double at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, the under pressure Newcastle manager was quickest to show his appreciation.
Successive 3-2 defeats against the unfancied Premier League newcomers Hull City, at St James’ Park and Everton last Monday night, had once again left Pardew under the spotlight for the wrong reasons.
There was even talk of Pardew’s future on Tyneside coming under threat.
Thankfully, for the boss and 3,000 travelling fans from the north-east, Remy came to the rescue with two goals in nine first-half minutes. That’s five in as many league games since arriving in Newcastle on a season loan from QPR>.
“I was happy when Newcastle came back to me, so now it’s down to me to do the best I can for the club,” said Remy.
“My record is 17 goals in one year, so if I can beat that, it would be great. I’m really enjoying it.”
With Cardiff outfought and out-thought in a one-sided first half, Remy broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when he cut inside two Cardiff defenders before beating David Marshall from 20 yards. His second nine minutes later followed Marshall’s block at the near post, and there could have been more as Newcastle exposed Cardiff frailties.
Peter Odemwingie provided City with a degree of hope when he cut inside David Santon and beat Tim Krul from a dozen yards, but Newcastle held on and might even have been awarded a penalty when Cardiff left back Andrew Taylor clearly handled a Cisse centre.
Remy, who was eventually substituted in the final quarter, added: “The team did well. We worked hard and we were very satisfied because we needed those three points.”
But Cardiff boss Malky Mackay is far from downbeat. He said: “I’ve got a group of players and a squad that have adapted well to the Premier League. However, we have also found out that if you give anyone in this league time and space, they will hurt you.”
CARDIFF CITY (4-1-4-1): Marshall 6; Theophile-Catherine 5, Caulker 6, Turner 5, Taylor 5; Medel 7; Odemwingie 6 (Maynard 80, 5), Gunnarsson 5, Whittingham 5, Kim 5 (Mutch 45, 7); Campbell 6 (Bellamy 65, 6).
NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-4-2): Krul 6; Debuchy 6, Williamson 7, Coloccini 7, Santon 6; Cabaye 7 (Ben Arfa 85, 6), Tiote 7, Sissoko 6, Gouffran 6; Cissé 6, Remy 8 (Gutierrez 70, 6).
Referee: K Friend (Leicestershire)
Attendance: 27,538.
