But there is a very strong rumour going around Tyneside that Mike Ashley is looking to Saturday's crunch fixture against Chris Hughton's Norwich City as the moment Pardew has to stand up and be counted.
Alan Pardew: "We need to make sure we are a Premier League team next season.
"Our team today is a shadow of the team we can put out.
"We know we need to get some bigger players who can handle the situation of carrying a Newcastle jersey, whether that's a signing or getting a player back from injury.
"It's important to spend during this month.
"I'd like to see another player come in through the door to join Mathieu Debuchy in the next week or so.
"It's difficult to get transfers in this window but we'll have to do everything possible."