Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew warns Cheik Tiote to curb his aggression

EPL : Cheik Tiote – Valon Behrami, West Ham United v Newcastle (getty Images)

Related Links

Teams

Players

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has admitted Cheik Tiote must keep his combative instincts in check if he is to avoid becoming a liability for his team.

The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international has become a cult hero on Tyneside in his first season in England thanks to his tough tackling and high work rate, but the 14 yellow cards he has picked up along the way is only matched by Robbie Savage, Mark Hughes and Paul Ince in the Premier League era.

Pardew is largely pleased with Tiote’s contribution, but admits he will have to speak to his player about curbing his more reckless tendencies.

“Cheik’s tackling is usually well-timed but he is aggressive and he just needs to tone that down a little bit,” he told reporters after Saturday’s win over Birmingham.

“He was so controlled today and the booking he got was really unlucky. I will look at all the bookings through the summer with him, all 14, and make him understand four or five definitely shouldn’t be happening.”