ALAN PARDEW is showing Newcastle’s French players no merci by ordering them to take ENGLISH lessons. The Toon boss wants anyone who is struggling with the lingo to have three classroom sessions a week before the big kick-off on August 17. Under-fire Pards — who has 13 French speakers in his squad — is determined to improve the communication problems at St James’ Park. Pardew has BANNED translators from the club and will not tolerate any other language than English on the training pitch. Newcastle signed six French-speaking players in January, including Mathieu Debuchy and Yoan Gouffran. Boss Pards warned his squad at the end of the season that he wanted them to speak better English by the time pre-season came around. And those with a poor vocabulary are now to be sent on an intensive course. Some stars, such as France midfielder Yohan Cabaye, have settled into their second language and are helping out the ones who are still struggling — but problems remain. The decision will stun some fans who would have expected their highly paid players to make more of an effort with the language. Equally, this is a sign the Magpies — and Pards — are aware that improvements need to be made. The Newcastle manager, under pressure following the arrival of Joe Kinnear as director of football, is also aware of the cliques between the French players. But critics will argue the club should expect this after signing so many players who are either French, or speak the language. //BELLER//
Posted on: Sun, 30 Jun 2013 09:24:28 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015