Pardew on surviving another defeat: "I don't know, that’s not my decision, but I won’t walk away."
Friday 2 March 2018 11:59, UK
Alan Pardew is disappointed criticism of him inside the West Brom dressing room was leaked, but says his authority has not been jeopardised.
Albion midfielder Chris Brunt disagreed with the decision to stick with a 4-4-2 formation in a heated exchange with Pardew during the 2-1 home defeat to Huddersfield last weekend, Sky Sports News understands.
West Brom manager Pardew admits the pressure on his side, who are six points adrift at the bottom of the Premier League, has already been increased by players breaking curfew during a training camp in Barcelona.
But he insists disputes behind closed doors are common place in football.
"The stuff that came out of the dressing room on Saturday was disappointing because what goes on in there should stay in there in my opinion," said Pardew, who revealed there were people who would not normally be in the dressing room after the Huddersfield defeat, including drug testers.
"Having said that I'm not sure our fans would be disappointed with that. I actually think what would they expect us to do, not have words, not have conflict in the dressing room after a performance like that?
"There was more than Brunty saying a piece, the captain, myself and John Carver - we've all got opinions on why that performance was such.
"I'd be foolish and not a good manager if I didn't listen to those comments and look at them on Monday and Tuesday - which I have - and come up with some answers for Saturday. I've always been questioned as a manager."
Pardew maintained his authority has not been challenged by the incident and that he "didn't see a lot wrong" with how his side were tactically set up for the defeat.
But he said he would be "foolish" not to make changes to his selection for the trip to Watford on Saturday.
Sky Sports News understands the game at Vicarage Road will be key in deciding whether Pardew remains in charge for the rest of the season.
Asked if he can survive another defeat as West Brom manager, he added: "I don't know, it's not my decision. If you think I'm going to walk away, with my experience, with a team that isn't functioning well, then you're wrong."
