The Toon boss said after the 5-0 Spurs defeat he missed the driving power in midfield from Tiote in recent weeks ... then said "but we are in a better position now than when he left."
Personally I don't think we are.
OK, we all agree we have to put the experience of White Hart Lane behind us ... but the players all admit that two weeks is a long time to sit on a horror show like that.
If we ARE in a better position, I think it is because others (Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea) have all struggled in recent games, and we are still in with a shout of making the top five.
Alan Pardew: "It's about the next game now, and we've got Cheick coming back, and Yohan (Cabaye) available again.
"That's a boost for everybody. The players are focused on putting the last game behind them.
"We've given Cheick some time off. He's had a daunting run of games but he'll be back on Monday.
"I've spoken to Cheick, and he's OK. He did a really good job out there, but unfortunately they got beaten in a penalty shoot-out.
"They came out with a lot of credit. Cheick will have another chance in the African Cup of Nations in 12 months' time, and he'll be focused on Newcastle United now.
"He'll be ready to go again next week, after a rest. He'll be focused on helping his team.
"We're in a better league position than when (Tiote) left.
"Who would have thought that we'd lose Cheick and Demba (Ba), and when they returned we'd be in a better position?
"That's credit to the players we have here."