Pressure grows on Pardew

Plenty to ponder for Pardew I think it's safe to say the honeymoon period is well and truly over for Alan Pardew now.

Whilst some fans have been dead set against him from the start, I think it's fair to say that he's done enough to win the vast majority around, especially last season when we played some great stuff and finished in a very decent and unexpected 5th place in the league.

However things aren't going to plan this season and whilst I never expected us to really match what we achieved last season, mainly due to a failure by the ownership to add to the squad over the summer but also because I feel last season we had a lot of things go our way. I didn't expect us to be this rubbish though and we are getting to the point now where questions need answering.

We've lost three games on the bounce now - two at home and one away - against teams that we shouldn't have lost to. Granted any team can beat the other on the day but the fact is that we just haven't looked like winning. Not even close. I dare say we could still be playing at Southampton and we still wouldn't have mustered a shot on target.

The result yesterday really tipped my opinion. We we're awful and I'm that p*ssed off about it still I haven't even bothered writing a match report about it. In fairness I can write a brief one now which sums up our "performance" at St Mary's. We never threatened. Southampton bossed us and deserved the win. The end. Sound about right?

Anyway I'm digressing as it isn't just about the performance yesterday, which was woeful (I may have mentioned that previously...). It's about the performances in general. I can take losing if we're still performing and looking likely to get out of this rut we are stuck in, but we're not and somebody has to start taking the blame for it.

Whilst I sympathise with Pardew in the sense that we are dealing with an awful lot of injuries right now, ultimately it is his job to get the best of whichever players are fit and available for selection. For whatever reason, that just isn't happening.

If things aren't working, which clearly they aren't, then I expect to see something change. Isn't a definition of madness trying the same thing over and over again but expecting different results? That's what I'm seeing. No change in formation, approach or tactics, just the same thing time and again.

Pressure is growing on Alan Pardew in what is a results based business. Ultimately results have been poor and if they continue in that vein then surely it will only end one way? I don't buy this eight-year deal being a sign of security either. Contracts are worth nothing these days and I have no doubt that Mike Ashley would have made sure he doesn't have to pay out any huge compensation figure should the worst happen.

I don't think Pardew is set for the chop yet and I honestly think he's earned a bit of patience, but if things don't improve soon enough then surely something will have to change?

What do you think?