The chances of Alan Pardew ever admitting that he is wrong are probably slim to none: he is the kind of manager who lives on his ego and on his public image and any sense that he doesn't really know what he's doing will only ever come from external sources. But in the for-now welcome return Gabriel Obertan to the first team, Pardew has gone against his own decision in the summer to let the Frenchman leave (and you'd think not for a great deal of money). Up until a few weeks ago even, Obertan was an unwelcome member of the squad, behind Gouffran, Sissoko, Ararons and Cabella in the pecking order, and seemingly destined to rot in the reserves with a few substitute appearances here and there. Now though, Obertan is being called "breathtaking" by his boss, and "unplayable" when he's on form, and had been given a second chance that the likes of Ben Arfa and Yanga-Mbiwa were never given. In the grand scheme of things, Obertan has done more to frustrate than either of them, and has less raw talent, and yet he has been welcomed back. Hopefully that might have sparked some recognition in the back of Pardew's mind, but sadly you really shouldn't count on it.
