The slightly hysterical reaction to Newcastle’s mauling at the Etihad is indicative of supporters still appalled by the way his team slumped after their defeat to Benfica in the quarter-final of the Europa League in April.
It has only taken one insipid away defeat to remind them just how bad things became. A new season has begun as the old one ended and has instantly meant Pardew needs good results from successive home games against West Ham United and Fulham and the Capital One Cup tie at Morecambe sandwiched between them.
Pardew does not like being criticised or questioned by outside influences, but he privately knows he could have been sacked at the end of last season, and he knows he starts another campaign on uncertain ground.
Ironic considering the eight-year contract he signed less than 12 months ago was supposed to bring stability, but that seems an increasingly redundant word in the Premier League when so much money rides on staying in the top flight.
Pardew is a good manager who let things slide. Ashley responded, not with a P45, but by bringing in Kinnear and accepting the resignation of former Managing Director Derek Llambias as a result.
Kinnear, who has spent just five months of the last nine years working in football – an unimpressive reign as Newcastle manager during their relegation season in 2008/9 – has so far failed to do anything that suggests he has the skills required for the job.
Ostensibly brought in to take charge of player recruitment, Kinnear is also Ashley’s eyes and ears, a sort of football consultant assessing Pardew and his team.
Kinnear can damage Pardew if results do not improve by criticising him to Ashley, but he is already hampering him by failing to get either the players he and chief scout Graham Carr asked for.
Either there is no money to spend – unlikely given the new television deal – an unwillingness to spend it or just an inability to do so on their intended targets.
Newcastle have failed with a bid for Lyon’s Bafetimbi Gomis and completely misjudged their attempt to sign Pardew’s number one target, Darren Bent, from Aston Villa, allowing him to join Fulham instead.
As for Newcastle’s other interests, there has been nothing to suggest they are closer now to signing the winger, centre-back and second striker most observers feel they need, than they were before Kinnear arrived in June.
A bid is rumoured to have been made for City’s Scott Sinclair, who would be a good addition, as well as claims they are set to bring another two players in from overseas. Fans, though, are fed up with a diet of rumours. They want signings.
To make matters worse, if Cabaye goes – and it seems inevitable he will following his omission from the team on Monday after months of grumbling behind-the-scenes - they have less than two weeks to sign a replacement.
Newcastle still have some good players and should not be involved in another relegation battle if they are united and driven.
Equally, no team or manager should be judged on one disastrous result away from home against a team who will challenge for the title, but Pardew needs to show his side are better than that when they play in front of their own public.
On Monday night, Newcastle looked like the same team that dabbled with relegation a few months ago. That has to change and quickly or Kinnear, regardless of his own failings, will be passing the axe to Ashley that gives Pardew the chop.
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