Newcastle are ‘good to go’ against Bordeaux despite travel delays, says Pardew

Dec 6, 2012 10:10:00 AM

The 51-year-old revealed that bad weather meant their flight took off late and arrived in France behind schedule and also added that striker Nile Ranger is set to start the game

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has revealed that the club endured a nightmare journey on their trip to Bordeaux after being delayed for more than five hours due to snow.

The Magpies go into their final Europa League Group D game already assured of qualification to the next round alongside the French side, but know that a win will see them leapfrog Bordeaux and go through as group winners.

And Pardew says his team are ready for the game, despite their travel problems, telling reporters: "We have had a long journey, but I have been in harsher situations.

"We can’t possibly use the delay as an excuse.

"Half of the north was stopped - the A1 was shut when we flew over it. We are okay, we are good to go."

His opposite number for the upcoming clash, Bordeaux boss Francis Gillot, stated that the delay could be used as an advantage to focus his side more, adding: "In my experience usually, when you have a certain delay, you do better and you play a better game - so it’s scaring me."

Pardew also revealed that controversial striker Nile Ranger will start the game, after a noticeable positive change in his attitude over the past few months after he was convicted of two counts of assault against two police officers back in October.

He added: "Nile will start. I think he's probably the story of the last two or three months in terms of a positive.

"He's been out of the papers, he's been on time for the last eight-to-10 weeks and he's put in application on the training ground.

"I've never said to anyone 'It's all over, you're not getting a chance'. If you stick to the rules and put the ethic in, I'll give you a chance.

"And that's all it is for him at the moment, a chance, and we hope he takes it. We know he's got talent. Hopefully he puts it in on the pitch."

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