Monday 25 August 2014 12:51, UK
Alan Pardew is confident that summer signing Emmanuel Riviere will prove his worth and start delivering for Newcastle United.
The French striker, snapped up from Monaco, enjoyed a productive pre-season but is still waiting on his first competitive goal for his new employers.
He has figured in Newcastle’s opening two fixtures, but has drawn a blank as Pardew’s men have slipped to a 2-0 defeat against Manchester City and been held 0-0 by Aston Villa.
I think we have goals in this team. It doesn’t overly concern me.
Pardew conceded after the Villa stalemate that a few of his players are trying too hard to impress, but he remains convinced that Riviere will provide value for money and that his attacking unit will soon be firing on all cylinders.
He said in the Evening Chronicle: “I think if you look at Manu’s record, he’s got a good one.
“In pre-season we were all thinking he was going to kick off straight away. But he’s had two games and he’s hardly had a chance.
“He had one chance (against Villa) with his left foot, which isn’t his stronger foot. So I do feel he is going to score goals for us.
“Young Ayoze (Perez) came on but unfortunately I had to sacrifice him when we lost Willo (Mike Williamson).
“I think we have goals in this team. It doesn’t overly concern me. But at the moment that’s going to be put against us as we stand.”
