The 50-year-old today celebrated a year in charge during which he has turned the Magpies from potential relegation material into surprise challengers for the top six, despite more than his fair share of obstacles.

Pardew took over amid disquiet among fans and players at what they deemed the premature sacking of his popular predecessor Chris Hughton.

In January the club sold star striker Andy Carroll to Liverpool without signing a replacement, and the summer transfer window saw the departures of big names Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and Jose Enrique.

But if the fans were dubious about Pardew to start with, that is certainly not the case now, with the Magpies winning games and earning plaudits for their style of play.

The former Reading, West Ham and Charlton boss said: "It's been an enjoyable experience.

"As a manager, when you come into a club it's important to make some progress and we've managed to do that, myself and my staff. I'm really happy with the team.

"I've got a great set of players who fight every week to try to get the result, and if you're a Newcastle fan that's very, very important. We've had a great start and we'll look to continue it this week.

"In some ways it seems like a long year, when I look back at all the incidents, selling Andy Carroll and everything else, but at the same time it seems to have flashed by.

"I think as a club we've tried to do it the right way. I've tried to put a product on the football pitch that plays the game in the right manner and hopefully get great results, and that's what we've had.

"There's certainly been more highs than lows and I'm really looking forward to my next year."

A tricky run of games against Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, which brought only one point, has seen Newcastle's flying start stall, and they will be looking to get back to winning ways at Norwich tomorrow.

Paul Lambert's Canaries have been the season's other surprise package, picking up 16 points from their first 14 Barclays Premier League games following successive promotions.

However, Pardew has good memories of Carrow Road from a trip he made with former club Southampton two seasons ago when both were in League One.

He said: "They're a surprise in as much as they've got the results and won games.

"It's very difficult to win games in the Premier League, especially for teams who get promoted. They've done exceptionally well.

"The manager's done an unbelievable job there. I came up against them at Southampton not so long ago and I know what they're about, I know what it's like to go and play there.

"We actually won there so hopefully we'll be looking for the same result this time around."

However, Pardew has major injury problems to contend with, especially in defence.

Steven Taylor has been ruled out for the season following Achilles surgery while Fabricio Coloccini is likely to be missing with a thigh problem.

Mike Williamson (broken arm) will not be available for at least another week so 21-year-old Hungarian Tamas Kadar could partner James Perch. Full-backs Davide Santon and Danny Simpson are other options available.

Midfielders Danny Guthrie (groin) and Cheik Tiote (knee) are also sidelined but winger Jonas Gutierrez is available again after suspension.