Alan Pardew: "The result at Manchester United yesterday was a result that cheered me up because if gives us a chance to try to catch them, and if we try to finish above Manchester United, that would be a hell of an achievement for this club regardless of anything else.
"That's the immediate incentive for us, and then we will see where it takes us.
"All the players that have come here have improved - I can't think of one who hasn't - and that's the most important thing when you are looking at your coaching strategy, and we take that forward."
OK, let's take a look at those who HAVEN'T improved and were better off where they were. He has spent £60m on 23 players
Shefki Kuqi, Mehdi Abeid, Gabriel Obertan, Romain Amalfitano, Gaël Bigirimana, Curtis Good, Kevin Mbabu, Olivier Kemen ... a success?
Personally I think first tream players Sylvain Marveaux, Davide Santon, Rob Elliot or Vernon Anita are FAR WORSE than the players Pardew release - Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan, Wayne Routledge Danny Guthrie, Fraser Forster or Danny Simpson.
The backbone of the side consists of players Pardew didn't buy - Tim Krul, Fabricio Coloccini and Cheick Tiote.
Once again, it's Pardew showering himself with credit!