Alan Pardew - New Guy

Okay, the last word on the farce that is Newcastle United.

As this has been a slow week for football given the number of local fixtures I have lost to the weather, I'm trying to be a little topical - even if it does concern footaball club at the other end of the country from my patch, so apologies.

Earlier this season I wrote a post criticising Alan Pardew's treatment by the Southampton board given his sterling efforts at St. Mary's last season. The club started with a ten point deficit and yet he still took them to within a whisker of the play-offs and landed the JP Trophy giving the Saints their first trophy since the mid-seventies. Then he was sacked.

I spoke to several players from clubs chasing League One play-off places last season and they were all looking over their shoulders with dread as Southampton honed in on them. Pardew had the Saints on the march and was ditched for his efforts.

Ironic then that he has stepped into Chris Hughton shoes after the former Irish defender he took the Toon back to the Premier League. I guess there is no pleasing some football directors/owners.

I sincerely wish Pardew well in his new role. It will be tough and there won't be much money to spend, but if he has convinced Mike Ashley that he can take Newcastle to the summit of the league on a shoestring budget, then good for him. The five year deal he has should see him receive a nice pay-off when Ashley loses faith in him in February.