Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has been placed on the transfer list, and will be available on a free transfer ... despite Pardew insisting he wants to keep the 28-year old at the club.
But, Pardew will no doubt face the press with a smile - say all the things Ashley expects of him - while the Toon boss works his arms, legs and mouth by strings.
Pardew won nothing as a player, and nothing as a manager, and you can bet your bottom dollar he will out on his arse before Christmas with his P45 in his hand.
Barton criticised the club's ambition during a pre-season which has been a disaster; Steve Taylor said similar things this morning; Jose Enrique said the same on Saturday ... as Pardew sits with his head in his hands ... wondering what the hell has hit him!
The Toon heirarchy have decided that enough is enough and have announced that Barton will be available on a free transfer, despite having one year remaining on his £60,000-a-week contract.
But the fans are ready to tell Ashley "enough is enough" as they threaten to vent their anger at this weekend's home fixture against Foirentina.
Barton had threatened on social networking site twitter that he would rather run down his contract at Newcastle and leave for nothing, than see the club make money out of him.
Both Arsenal and Tottenham are believed to be keen on recruiting the Liverpudlian.