Interviews

Alan Pardew's first interview: Part Two

ALAN Pardew wants to create excitement for the Albion fans - and feed off their energy at 'fortress' Hawthorns.

The Baggies boss will take to the dugout for the first time on Saturday and stressed the importance of making our home a "fortress" for his time at the Club.

"It's one of those old grounds that's close to the pitch and you get an atmosphere that builds and builds," Alan smiled.

"That's what we've got to create on the football pitch - that build of noise. You can only do that by having sustained attacks and I'm going to try and do that a little bit more here.

"We have to make the home ground a real fortress. I know that's an old cliche but we have to work really hard on our game plan, make sure that the excitement is there for our fans to feed off so we can feed off each other."

Pardew will want the Baggies faithful in fine voice for his first game - a crucial clash with Crystal Palace. And the former Eagles chief acknowleged the great footballing irony of starting his Albion tenure against his previous employers.

"It's funny how football works like that. They're a team I know well and actually Roy Hodgson has got them in a much better place now. They're probably as strong now as they have been all season.

"We find them at a tough time to play them but it's a really important game and we've got to try and get the three points."

And with such a big game coming so soon into his reign as Albion Head Coach, any of Pardew's plans for his new squad remain "immediate."

"I think the most immediate thing is to get out of this run. My focus isn't going to go beyond that. My immediate plan is to get this team up the league and that's what I'm going to do.

"My best teams are teams on the front foot and having a go - even against the better teams, so that's what we'll do.

"I want to get us up the league and in a comfortable position where we can play with a more relaxed feel."

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