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Alan Pardew has suggested his plea to bring in set-piece specialists during his time at Newcastle United was ignored by his board.

Pardew’s Crystal Palace team have scored 12 times from set plays this term and Pardew admits it was an issue at St James’ Park.

Indeed, the Magpies were ineffective from corners and free-kicks after Yohan Cabaye was sold.

Pardew, speaking on Goals on Sunday, said: “The set play situation was a problem.

“I kept telling the board and the scouting team that we needed to get somebody to score from set plays.

“Delivery was a problem after Cabaye and we struggled.

“I come to Palace and in place were two or three attackers of the ball, great delivery and a system that was in place.

“I’ve just kept that going.

“I want to take no credit for it whatsoever.

“I gave the job to Keith Mullen and probably there is a bit of Tony Pulis in that and we’re doing a fantastic job.

“But you need players to execute and if you have aggressive centre-halves and aggressive strikers you can score goals.”