IT WILL BE GOOD TO GET ON WITH SOME FOOTBALL
Embattled Pardew is hoping the FA Cup can provide some relief for crisis club Albion
ANGRY Alan Pardew has promised Southampton crisis club West Brom are “in the mood to play a game of football.”
The Premier League basement club have been shamed after four senior players broke a curfew in Spain where they allegedly stole a taxi.
Skipper Jonny Evans, Gareth Barry, Jake Livermore and Boaz Myhill were forced to apologise for the incident in Barcelona at 5am on Thursday.
West Brom have launched their own internal investigation to learn the full facts with a view to disciplining the stars.
Baggies boss Pardew admits the incident has even plunged his future into doubt after the club’s Chinese owners sacked the strugglers’ chairman and chief executive at the start of the week.
It is all far from ideal preparations for Albion ahead of today’s FA Cup fifth round tie at home to Saints.
Pardew admits with hindsight he wishes he had never even taken the players on the foreign trip.
But the quartet are available for selection today as Pardew is determined to reach the quarter-finals to give the beleaguered Baggies a boost.
A visibly annoyed Pardew said: “We’re in the mood to play a game of football.
“After the events of the last few days, any win is important.
“I’m going to try and put things aside and pick my best side to win the game.
“They are available for selection because the investigation is ongoing.
“We have to respond with a performance.
“I’ll be picking a strong side hoping to get a win. That’s more important than anything. I’ll play my strongest team to try and achieve that.”
Albion are without injured on-loan Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge after he was subbed injured just three minutes into Monday’s 3-0 loss at champions Chelsea.
Pardew wants to also end a run of three successive Premier League losses at Manchester City, to Saints in their previous home game and at Chelsea.
He added: “We need to make sure everything is geared to the 11 games we have left in the league and this little cup run which could turn into a big one. I’m confident we’re going to put in performances that gives us a chance to do that.”