Hughton's Norwich are "in form" at the moment, as Newcastle struggle with injuries.
There's no going back; we have the boss we have (for eight years apparently); and there is little point in asking fans "who would you rather have - Hughton or Pardew?"
We are in the last 32 in the Europa League, so that counts for something.
Does Pardew handle Mike Ashley better than Hughton did? Well I'm not so sure about that.
Hughton was sacked; Pardew gets the long contract; but we only have to look at the summer transfer window to see how Ashley refused to pay "big bucks" to back Pardew's judgement.
11 Norwich City 22
12 Liverpool 19
13 Fulham 17
14 Newcastle United 17
15 Southampton 15
Alan Pardew: “There’s been so many experiences.
“It seems to have gone quickly now we’ve got to this anniversary.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, not so much the last months because the last two months have probably been my toughest with injuries and the blows we’ve had in games too – sendings off etc.
“Overall I have to say I’m really happy here, I’m enjoying it and I’m really looking forward to the second half of the season where I think we’re going to be stronger.
“You can’t get away from the ups and downs of a 10-minute period in a game, let alone a result or getting beaten or winning.
“We can fluctuate mood with ten minutes of bad football and there’s not many clubs that have that kind of passion.
“But of course that’s what also gives us our strength.
“We can have 10 minutes of really good football and suddenly our fans think we’re the world’s best.
“You have to kind of understand that, and you don’t understand that unless you live in the city and have been manager of the club.”