Alan Pardew - August: "We need a good start. The first three games are probably the most important of the season."
Alan Pardew - September: "We will have to see we how we manage on the Sundays after our European games, these next four games are going to be vital to our season."
Alan Pardew - Last month: "West Ham, Swansea, Southampton, Stoke and Wigan - five games we can expect to get points from. These games will decide our season."
Alan Pardew - Today: “I think the period between now and (the end of) January is going to determine our season, I really do.
“Because we’ve got the FA Cup and no Cheick and no (Yohan) Cabaye – two of our big, big players – for that period. We’ve got some of the bigger teams coming.
“If someone said we were five points from sixth at the end of January, I would take that now.
“I think we’re going to be stronger in February, but I hope it’s not too late.
“That’s when my best players are coming back to me.
“But I think the blip is going to be a good thing because I think it gave us a shake a little bit that we needed to do a little bit more work in the summer and I don’t think we’re going to fall short again.
“We’ve got a lot of league games, the FA Cup as well and we’ve got the big clubs in there as well.
“It looks like we’re in much better health, if not for Fulham, then certainly after.
“So that’s what you need when you play the top clubs, that gives you a better chance of winning.”