Monday 1 May 2017 20:11, UK
Sunderland should take a leaf out of Newcastle's book as they plot their return to the Premier League following relegation, says Alan Pardew.
After years of narrowly avoiding the drop, Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth brought the Black Cats' 10-year stay in the top flight to end.
Sunderland are now tasked with sealing promotion from the Sky Bet Championship at the first time of asking, just as their North East rivals Newcastle did this season following their relegation in 2015/16.
And, speaking on Monday Night Football, former Magpies boss Pardew believes the blueprint devised by incumbent Rafa Benitez should be adopted by Sunderland boss David Moyes.
"As we know, all the teams in the Championship are gunning to reach the gold mine which is the Premier League, so there are four or five big clubs all poised with good teams going into next season," he said.
"David will have to sit down with the chairman and discuss what the budget is. Even though Sunderland will get the huge injection of parachute money, it doesn't mean to say they'll do it the right way.
"Benitez has done things pretty much spot on at Newcastle; he took a big group of top Championship players, some of whom were there already, and his squad have seen him through.
"That would be a good route for David to go down if he can convince the chairman that's the right route."
Moyes returned to the Premier League last summer looking to repair his tarnished reputation following unsuccessful spells at Manchester United and Real Sociedad.
While his reputation may have taken another dent following Sunderland's relegation, Pardew has backed Moyes to stay on Wearside and prove his worth as a manager.
"Individually Sunderland were one of the weakest teams in the division and ironically they are bottom," he added.
"Moyes' teams have always been organised and difficult to play against but the problem with Sunderland this year has been their ability to score goals. Jermain Defoe dried up at a really difficult time for them and he hasn't scored.
"It's been a tough season for David, coming back to the Premier League he wanted to make an impression but it hasn't worked out.
"When I see him interviewed he's hurting big time and I suspect he'll want to put things right next year.
When I see him interviewed he’s hurting big time and I suspect he’ll want to put things right next year. It will be a good shout for Sunderland to have him there next year as he’ll be hungry to prove what a top manager he is.
"It will be a good shout for Sunderland to have him there next year as he'll be hungry to prove what a top manager he is."
