Pardew understands fans' anger

Alan Pardew has played down fears of a backlash from the Newcastle fans over the removal of the "St James' Park" sign from their stadium.

Toon boss aims to calm tempers over renamed stadium

Alan Pardew has played down fears of a backlash from the Newcastle fans over the removal of the "St James' Park" sign from their stadium last week. Owner Mike Ashley controversially renamed the ground the Sports Direct Arena earlier in the season. The match against Wolves on Saturday will be the first at the stadium since workmen were pictured using a crowbar to rip down the famous old letters from the outside of the Milburn Stand. And while Pardew admits he 'understands' the anger of the fans he believes the football on the pitch will make up for the pain off of it. He said: "There might be a little bit beforehand with the upset of taking the sign down, and I can understand that from a fan's point of view. "But once the game kicks off, it's about that product on the pitch and I think they trust the players, they know they will get a performance out of them."