By Luke Edwards
None of the five French players signed by the club this month have a good understanding of the language and Pardew has insisted they pick it up as soon as possible, so as to minimise the risk of the 14-strong French-speaking contingent at the club failing to mix properly with their team-mates.
The Magpies cannot allow the new signings to ease into their new surroundings as they are needed to have an instant impact on the pitch if the team are going to pull away from the relegation zone.
Newcastle’s players are only allowed to communicate in English on the training pitch and in the dressing room, with instructions translated by those French speaking players, like Yohan Cabaye, who have gained a grasp of the new language.
Fines and training ground punishments like press-ups and shuttle runs will be administered to those who fail to understand the rules or orders given.
“These players, unfortunately, don’t have the luxury of taking time to adapt,” said Pardew. “If they are going to play, they are going to have to come in at full-speed. We can’t wait for them to settle and I have given them that message.
“They have to learn English quickly, otherwise they get penalties. Hopefully they are grasping it, we need them to hit the ground running. It’s very important English is the number one language. The challenge for me is to get a team to gel quickly.”
Newcastle’s goalkeeper, Tim Krul, said he regrets quitting French at school after just one year, but revealed the new signings are being given a crash course in “football English.”
“Some of them don’t really speak much English yet so from our point of view we have to help them all we can,” said the Dutch international.
“I have to make sure I can communicate with them. That will take a few weeks, but football language isn’t that difficult.
“It doesn’t take that long to integrate. I’ll teach them the most important words they’ve got to know. ’away’, ’man on’, ’keeper’s ball’ that kind of thing.
If I’m coming out for the ball they will know about it. I’ll give them a list.” Pardew does not anticipate problems with team spirit, regardless of the huge numbers of French-speaking players under him, but acknowledged it is his responsibility to make sure he is correct.
“Having a few French players here has helped obviously,” said a manager, who has won just two games in 18. “So far, the signs have been progressive and good.
“Footballers are very adaptable, they are chameleon-like in their manner.
They accept new players coming in, it’s part of the process. We are pleased these players have arrived.
“We have managed to strengthen when, perhaps, we should have done in the summer, we have openly admitted that.
“I don’t really see team spirit as a problem. I’ve never encouraged groups to form cliques. I’m very, very quick to stop that. I don’t intend to let it happen.” Pardew has seen enough of Moussa Sissoko in training since his move from Toulouse on Friday to ensure he starts against Villa. It is a game neither side can afford to lose, given Newcastle are fifth from bottom and their hosts directly below.
Former Bordeaux striker Yoan Gouffran may also start, while right-back Mathieu Debuchy will play his third game since landing from Lille.
“When I came to this football club, we had a small squad and, for the first time, I think I have the full allocation” added Pardew.
“Now it is about making sure we get the victories we need to build on this.
People keep talking about finishing fifth last year, but that team, I’ve never been able to field because of injuries or whatever.
“We now have a strong squad, we will probably have a new look to us, and that new look hopefully settles quickly because we have not got a lot of games left. It may seem like it, but it won’t be in five games time if we are still in this same position.”
