Alan Pardew: There is beauty at both ends
Alan Pardew says that there is beauty in defending as well as attacking, which often gets forgotten.
Pardew is know as an expansive manager, but his West Brom side resolutely held out for a 0-0 draw at Anfield on Wednesday.
West Brom face Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United on Sunday, another manager who has come in for criticism about how he sets up his team.
West Brom’s result against Liverpool lifted them out of the bottom three before the weekend, and the former Newcastle manager insists the art of defending cannot be overlooked.
“There’s always been two sides to winning football matches, defensive discipline and offensive prowess. You have to get the balance right,” Pardew said said.
“There are times people would like Jose to be more offensive, but you look at United’s defensive record – it’s pretty good.
“It’s about personnel and having the right criteria. I am of the opinion there’s beauty in the game at both ends of the pitch.”