Newcastle take on another of Sir Bobby’s former clubs, Fulham, tonight looking for a first away win of the season, and Pardew’s two-year anniversary at St James’s Park has us asking if we have moved forward.
We cannot talk about Robson and Pardew in the same breath, as Sir Bobby was a "winner" as a manager, lifting cups in England, Spain, Portugal and Holland - as well as the UEFA Cup and European Cup-Winners Cup.
It seems cruel to say it ... but ... Pardew has won nothing as a player or a manager.
Alan Pardew: "Becoming the longest serving boss since Sir Bobby has given me a nice, warm glow – he’s a bit of a hero of mine.
“It doesn’t seem very long.
“But three weeks ago, it felt like 10 years!
“That’s the emotion of the club and our fans (which) the manager and the players have to deal with here. That’s what makes us great, of course.
“You have to understand that, but I try to keep myself consistent in my managing and coaching through the good and the bad.
"The fans been brilliant to me.
“Obviously, I’m from London, and you could say I’ve been brought up in a different environment.
“But I’ve loved it here, and the people have been fantastic to me.
“I think football fans are underestimated. They’re bright – they know we’ve had injuries and suspensions.
“If we’d have had this run with my best team, I fancy a few would have been knocking on my door asking what’s going on, and quite right too.
“They’ve stayed with us, and I appreciate that and the support I’ve had in the two years. I couldn’t have asked for more.
“I’ve got to say a big thank you to them.
“Bordeaux last week just showed me what a class act they are.
“They were so complimentary about our performance against Wigan. No one seemed to have too much of a hangover of the period we’ve had.
“They had a difficult journey getting out there. Our performance was average at best.
“I made sure we over to them at the end, and they still clapped us off even though we lost 2-0 and didn’t really have any exciting moments in the game.
“What more could you want as a manager?
“I know, certainly, 1,200 of the them had a terrible journey home.
“I want to commiserate with them for that journey, because they were brilliant for us. It was nice to see them in the town.
“We understand what they want, and we’ve got to deliver it.
“I do feel we’re in good shape. The training ground mood’s changed a little bit.
“Just one win, and a performance at Stoke, can change the outlook, not just the fans, but the players.
“They’ve got more spring in their step.”