Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew: We have pulled above our weight this season

Alan Pardew, Newcastle United

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Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has rated the club’s first season back in the Premier League highly and has scored it as an eight out of 10.

The Magpies sacked boss Chris Hughton at the start of December before appointing Pardew, much to the dismay of many supporters after an impressive start to the campaign.

A victory this weekend could see Newcastle finish in the top half of the Premier League and Pardew admits they have pulled above their weight after being promoted last May.

However, the former West Ham boss said that considering the two key losses they had to deal with – the departure of Andy Carroll and the injury to Hatem Ben Arfa – he would score the season highly.

“Including Chris’s time as manager here, you would have to give it an eight,” Pardew is quoted as saying by The Independent.

“In terms of the expectations and the amount of finance that was spent in the summer, the fact that we lost Hatem Ben Arfa to a broken leg, that we sold Andy Carroll, yes, I would give it as high as that.

“If you looked at our squad, you would have to say on paper, it didn’t look the strongest for the results we have had, and that’s a great thing.

“But we need to carry that over into next year and, hopefully, be stronger.
 
“I can only talk from my personal fulfilment as a football manager at a great club, and it has been fantastic on that front.

“People have been tremendous and the players and the squad and the staff here – I think we have pulled above our weight and long may that continue.”

Newcastle host fellow promoted side West Brom at St James’ Park on Sunday, having lost the reverse fixture 3-1 earlier in the season.