Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has revealed the rollercoaster of emotion he has experienced since he took over.
The former West Ham manager replaced Chris Hughton at St James' Park to a mixed
reaction from the home fans and the media.
He quickly silenced everyone, though, with a superb first season that saw the
Magpies narrowly miss out on clinching a UEFA Champions League spot.
Spearheaded by Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse, the side's electric run saw Pardew
named Manager of the Year by the League Managers' Association.
However, this season Newcastle have flirted with the relegation
places while they have criss-crossed Europe in the UEFA Europa League.
Pardew's struggling team face Arsenal at home on Sunday in a crucial clash,
which Arsene Wenger's side need to win to confirm UEFA Champions League football for
next season.
The 51-year-old said: "I have been here two and a half years and I have
probably experienced every emotion you could go through - and that was in the
first six weeks.
"Sometimes the sensationalism of it all is frustrating as the manager.
"When we do really well, there's a real over the top reaction and then
when it goes the other way, it's the reverse.
"We have to accept that that's how it is going to be at this football club
and be able to deal with it.
"But this year has taught us how to deal with that side of it when the
criticism comes, that we need to really batten down the hatches and make sure
we get a result whichever way it is to get us back on a run."
