Puppet to puppet master?

Remember this old chestnut regarding Alan Pardew? The whole talk of him being a puppet, a stooge, a stool pigeon? That kind of thing...

It's all died down now hasn't it, aside from some continued grumbling from an extreme minority who are seemingly not happy with the way the club is heading.

The fact is that Alan Pardew has done a stunning job as manager of Newcastle United. We're on course for our best league finish in a long time (one win will guarantee 5th place), have some brilliant players now, and are playing some really decent football.

Of course it hasn't all been sweetness and light and we've had bad results and poor performances, like all other teams. We're no different. What has been impressive is the way we've bounced back from those disappointing defeats, like we did at Chelsea the other night.

You really can't argue with the job he has done. From being viewed as a puppet to becoming a tactically astute manager who has confounded his critics, and continues to do so, all while keeping the players on side and getting the best out of them can't be faulted.

He's proved a lot of people wrong and long may that continue. It's long been said that football managers are judged on results and if you're judging Pardew on his then you really have to return a favourable verdict. We are where we are in the league based on results.

All in all it's a remarkable turnaround for Alan Pardew. From garnering a tiny percentage of votes in a local poll prior to his arrival, to now becoming an integral part of this renaissance - a renaissance which has seen thrust into the battle for a Champions League place - you really can't fault his success so far with United.

Or can you?