A report emerged overnight claiming Ashley had told a journalist he would dismiss the 53-year-old if the Magpies emerged from their trip to the Britannia Stadium, where they will once again seek a first Barclays Premier League win of the campaign, empty-handed, quoting him as saying: "Dead. Finished. Over. One more game then that's it." .
The club immediately dismissed the sportswear magnate's remarks as a joke, a message which was reiterated as the manager carried out his pre-match press conference on Saturday morning.
Pardew said: "I've not seen him. [Ashley]. I've spoken to him this week - he's obviously very keen for us to get victories, that's what he's about. That's what we're about, winning.
"I've been made aware of his comments in the paper, I've been under pressure at this club for a number of weeks now. All I can focus on now is the team and that's what I'll do."
Asked if his future was more than a joke, Pardew replied: "Yeah, but sometimes things are taken out of context. If it was a sit-down interview done in a serious manner, I'd be a lot more concerned than I am today, that's for sure."
Ashley indicated earlier this week that Pardew's position was not in jeopardy despite a difficult start to the season, and the club's situation has improved somewhat since then.