The main problem with Pardew's tactics during our nine months of HELL was the left back position.
Davide Santon, no matter how impressive he is charging down that left flank, cannot defend to save his life.
He is an Italian with Italian ideas from the league he has grown up with, but Pardew never played the game that way.
At Inter Milan, when Santon broke forward, a midfielder would cover the space he left behind. And that 'penny' never dropped with Pardew.
Premier League sides knew this was Newcastle's Achilles heel, and when Santon charged into No Man's Land and lost the ball, the opposition immediately swung the ball into the gap left at left-back.
We continued to be punished, but Pardew was oblivious to it.
Then came Dummett. Not as adventurous but he could tackle.
He obviously lacked experience, and his positional sense was not always the best, but that would come with time.
Now Pardew says United fans are “warming to” Dummett – but that is because he is finally starting to look like a Premier League player.
Alan Pardew (talking to the Chronicle): “I keep saying this is a guy that our fans didn’t really warm to initially.
“You’ve got to be strong with young players, and I stood by him through some tricky games.
“Now, as a manager, you get your rewards.
“He was brilliant (against West Brom), and I think centre-back will be his position.
“He’s a modern centre-back – he passes it, he’s quick, and wherever I play him, he gives me everything he’s got.
“You can’t ask for anything more than that.”