Should Pardew Play To Win In Europe Or Focus On PL Results?

Managers fielding weaker teams in Cup competitions, which act as a sideline to the Premier League are a constant talking point for football fans and pundits alike. With Newcastle United qualifying to the group stages of the Europa League on Thursday night, and Pardew saying that the Premier League is his main focus, we are asking the fans what you think.

Whilst all players play to win, a manager who fields a weaker team, thus resting important players for Premier League points are generally perceived as not entering into the spirit of the game. Criticism has been levied against Harry Redknapp, Alex Ferguson and Ian Holloway in the past for this very reason.

Pardew has said that he is focusing on the League but that silverware would be nice and the clubs most realistic chances of it are in cup competitions.

Ahead of the Atromitos game he said;

"I've got to say that my main focus is Aston Villa this week, without a shadow of a doubt, because I want six points, and Aston Villa are going to strengthen between now and then

On my other hat, obviously the European campaign and the experience that I'll gain as a manager and the experience that the players will gain from that ... So yeah, it is a balancing act.

Hopefully we'll get it right. I'm sure there'll be times when I need to adjust them team quickly to the strength of the opposition, and I've got plenty on the bench tomorrow if I need to use them."

.....and so far he has got the balance almost right, with Newcastle fielding a mix of younger players and some senior squad members and getting the desired result. That said Pardew is also very aware of the knock on effect a Thursday night European game had on the Saturday evening Premier League game against Chelsea last weekend, where his side lost 2-0 and performed poorly.

He added;

"Our stats from the weekend (against Chelsea) were down, you'd expect that. It wasn't ideal, and it was unfair on us a little bit.  Thursday to Sunday, I have no complaints. We go into these two games looking to win them both."

Let us know what you think by voting in the poll on the side of the page. "Should Pardew play to win in the Europa League or focus on the Premier League?"