Alan Pardew: “He’s conducted himself well.
“He had a tremendous playing career and I played against him a couple of times.
“He was always committed, focused and vocal.
“You can see those attributes in his team.
“He’s got a good squad.
“He is very fortunate to get that position in terms of the players he’s got, it’s a fantastic team.
“But he is still doing a good job nevertheless and it will be a tough ask for us.”