Another justification from the manager himself after the Stoke loss, and one shared by some other defenders of his cause suggests that Pardew has never really got a club into trouble before, and that this is merely a "blip":
"I've never really been in this situation before - its unique - but Im a professional football manager. Thats what I do, and thats what Ill continue to do."
That is utter garbage, to put it lightly. Throughout his career, Pardew's achievements have been defined in very definite peaks and troughs: for ever flash in the pan of brilliance (5th place for Newcastle), there have been stunning capitulations, and there is a reason he has been sacked twice and "mutually consented" once. It is that context that made his appointment in the first place so underwhelming, and the fact that he doesn't acknowledge former struggles is incredible. Do you think Alan Pardew should be sacked immediately? Share your points below in the comments thread.
