I think you're right about equal ops hazing at NUFC but why the huge hatred for Pardew? I never saw what he did that was his fault as opposed to Astley's.
Fair question. But not hatred. Frustration.
On arrival, Pardew didn't bring an overwhelming record. Newcastle was by far and away the biggest job Pardew ever had, or was likely to be offered. He was a an unambitious choice: a competent, workaday soul, chosen for his compliant demeanour by an owner that doesn't brook dissent, challenge. Someone of greater stature - forged in a crucible of baying crowds, lacerating in-fighting and silverware - a more forceful personality, more belligerent, wouldn't be welcome to an owner that likes to impose his preferences however quixotic.
So far, not Pardew's fault. The money was too big and the term too long for him to walk away.
But on Tyneside integrity is the alpha and omega of a manager. Natives "get" that. Your Keegans, your Sir Bobbies knew instinctively what their role was. The touchstone is the local derby with Sunderland. A minimum of one win per season is acceptable. No wins is appalling. Four defeats in a row is the equivalent of a white-flag surrender. Utter humiliation. For Pardew, they were just another game. *Shrug*
Over time his record proved as flaccid as promised: 12th, 5th, 16th and 10th in the league. Competent, acceptable even, to a smaller club used to the lower reaches of premiership and upper slopes of whatever-second-division-is-called-this-week. For one of the biggest clubs in England? By size, I mean physically. The third largest stadium. Full every home game. The swirling vats of income. Would Liverpool, Man United, Arsenal, etc. fans think that a fair record for their club?
Yes, Ashley played him for a fool. Ashley only wants a platform for his cheap-tat, zero-hour rag trade. He's not a football guy. He wants it to be a consistent, predictable business, not a loss-making, volatile, Hail Mary of a punt.
So for four years Pardew was content to play Mr Mediocrity. He accepted players being bought and sold (mostly sold) under his nose. He played for safety. Cup matches were deliberately ignored as a distraction form the main business of keeping in the premiership and sticking to the business plan. A hollow man in a club where adventure is revered above all else.
In tactics Pardew was out of his depth. He ignored the positional strengths of most of the player signings. He stuck with out of form players. He liked to pay the way he was comfortable, seemingly unable to imagine what might be possible.
On occasions Pardew's frustration broke through. He'd have tantrums in press conferences when hacks asked awkward questions. Certain journalists got barred for impudence, including the football writer for the main Newcastle newspaper.
He got sent to the stands and banned on a couple of occasions. He swore at that nice Mr Pellegrini. He headbutted David Meyler. Nothing wrong with a bit of pagga, as the natives say, in defence of the noble and righteous cause. That's integrity. But he got shirty for the wrong reasons. He was embarrassing.
Despite his glaring managerial infirmities, he clung to a sense of entitlement that riled the fans. Instead of being humble, he was cocky. A Mourinho without the cups.
Clutching an eight-year contract in his fist, he looked like he'd dug in for the duration. Unmovable. After four years to prove himself, enough was enough.
Not hatred. Frustration.
