Newcastle United fans had one wish granted on Jan. 2 when Alan Pardew left to become manager of Crystal Palace. The "Pardew Out" banners could be thrown away.
Toon were a comfortable ninth when Londoner (a bad word for most Newcastle supporters) Pardew quit with the team having won 26 of a possible 57 points. Geordie John Carver was given interim control and because he is a local lad the former assistant manager was given a collective nod of approval, if only because of his background.
Under Carver, who on Thursday maintained he was "the best coach in the Premier League", Newcastle has won nine of a possible 48 points. It is 15th in the table, two points above the relegation zone. Imagine where it would be with an ordinary coach.