I thought it would be neck and neck with Pards. I won't be surprised if by the weekend both of us are scraping the bottom three and the major questions are asked!
Will they pay up Pardews 8 year contract? I don't think O'Neill will be sacked but would resign if we drop into the bottom 3 and start to get cast adrift. If we go down I think it would be one relegation too many and wed struggle to get back.
Possibly, I wouldn't put it past them let's just say that. They where extremely stupid giving him such a contract, but there is always the option of forcing him to quit.. Our game tonight against Stoke, then our match against Wigan will decide his job. draw, win and I'll give him a chance but if we fail to win either. For me, it's goodbye Pardew and time to look for a capable replacement. The problem being who is a capable replacement?!
There will be clauses which Mike can exercise I think. He has never been the type to put full faith in people. I think it was just a PR exercise to portray stability because of our past hire and fire policies. I hope he doesn't even think about it, it would be a massive mistake. I honestly think O'Neill needs time too in terms of results. However I think his problem may be he will never play the football the fans want, he never has. To be honest our football is currently worse to watch, but I think Pardew likes a more fluent style in general and when we get our confidence back so will our football. Won't be tonight though!
