A YEAR ago, it would have been easier to find Lord Lucan drinking in a pub in the Bigg Market than to come across a Geordie who approved of Alan Pardew being appointed Newcastle United manager.

Chris Hughton had done an admirable job in guiding the club back to the Premier League and steadying the black and white ship.

His sacking in December 2010 came as a surprise and the confirmation that Pardew was taking over on a five and a half year deal was viewed as another misjudgement.

Out of 40,000 fans taking part in a poll, only 5.5 per cent supported Pardew as the right choice as manager.

But it is all so different now. Last night, Pardew was named Premier League manager of the year - an honour that is richly deserved.

Good players have been off-loaded, including those who scored the goals in Pardew's first game in charge - Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and Andy Carroll.

But better players have come in through the manager's inspired signings, most notably the recent acquisition of Papiss Cisse.

Whatever results are recorded this weekend, Newcastle are guaranteed a top-five finish - and Alan Pardew deserves huge credit for proving the doubters wrong.