Alan Pardew (talking to the BBC): "Everyone was pulling at him when we weren't winning and he stuck with me and was very supportive, especially after the Southampton game (a 4-0 defeat). You have to have that as a manager. It bought me just enough time.
"I particularly want to thank my staff. You need them to be loyal, especially when you are under fire. They trusted me and I feel the rewards and so do they."
Ashley has made it plain to everybody that Pardew stays "because he has a five year contract".
Nothing to do with belief; friendship; or brotherly love ... Ashley was not prepared to hand over £5,500,000 to Pardew to get him out.
And deep down, Pardew knows that too.