Alan Pardew was back on our TV screens on Friday night.
Pardew made his punditry debut on Sky Sport’s show Monday Night Football earlier this week, analysing Liverpool’s game away to Watford.
The former Crystal Palace and Newcastle United manager’s contribution wasn’t universally well-received.
But surely the only way is up after a shaky start, right?
That's the exact opposite of irony, Alan. pic.twitter.com/Wya95BIlTg
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) May 1, 2017
Well, we didn’t have to wait long to find out.
Pards, who was sacked by Palace before Christmas and will inevitably be looking to get back in the dugout this summer, joined Jamie Redknapp and Thierry Henry on Sky.
The trio discussed Tottenham Hotspur’s trip to the London Stadium to play West Ham United in the more relaxed setting of Friday Night Football.
Would Pardew thrive in the more laid-back setting?
Judging by the Pardew on TV comments I'm delighted to say I'm watching my son play for his Vets team at Sutton Utd ground #escaped #cpfc
— Lynne (@ljbrameld) May 5, 2017
Not quite.
Or at least his musings didn’t go particularly well with the watching public.
Some took issue with his description of Christian Eriksen.
https://twitter.com/SaltashSpurs/status/860564967594086405
Pardew just said Eriksen's delivery from set plays is top draw….. He obviously hasn't seen him take a corner 🤣
— Neil (@neil1579) May 5, 2017
His reference to the importance of defensive midfielders didn’t go down well, considering he sold Mile Jedinak, Palace’s sole defensive midfielder at the time, last summer.
Pardew just said:
"A defensive midfielder is essential in the Premier League"
Errrm….#cpfc pic.twitter.com/w3Bd3QZoOv— Benjiesta (@benjiesta) May 5, 2017
Others just weren’t happy to see him.
Switched on Friday Night Football… Saw Pardew's face, changed channel. Cannot deal with him.
— Graeme Bell (@GraemeBell_) May 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/dnyed26/status/860564905174413316
Pardew on Friday Night Football pic.twitter.com/i3cjPAYbb4
— Matt (@MttMllr14) May 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/boxing_addict80/status/860567599066877952
You know how this goes.
https://twitter.com/rhyssjoness/status/860565380149981184
Tough crowd.
Not sure bout the casual Friday vibe on sky sports. Is it the sofa arrangement? Pardew's sitting position? Redknapp's t- shirt? #COYS #thfc
— ANGEr management (@BenHotspur) May 5, 2017
The word “difficult” was used a lot, apparently.
https://twitter.com/ToonBano/status/860569042159095808
However, Al had some fans.
https://twitter.com/spurs_report/status/860567235416305665
I'd have a night on the piss with Pardew, be a good crack I reckon
— Sonny G 🎙 (@Sonny_Club) May 5, 2017
While someone made this clever video clip.
When #Stelling asked #Pardew his opinion on #LCFC players this season 🐍🐍🐍 pic.twitter.com/5iwFFzHYjL
— VintageFPL (@FplVintage) May 5, 2017
And the campaign to get Pards back in the dugout has stepped up a notch.
Let's hope that someone somewhere offers Pardew a job soon. His TV appearances aren't really doing him many favours. #cpfc pic.twitter.com/5ikHKwv5AR
— Five Year Plan (@FYPFanzine) May 5, 2017
@XHNews There's a brilliant manager available for the Chinese Super League, Alan Pardew. Help remove him from our TVs China. #FNF #WHUTOT
— Daniel Hooley (@DanielH19) May 5, 2017
