Alan Pardew: "Including Chris' time as manager here, you would have to give the team an eight out of ten for the season.
"In terms of the expectations and the amount of finance that was spent in the summer, the fact that we lost Hatem [Ben Arfa] to a broken leg, that we sold Andy Carroll, yes, I would give it as high as that.
"If you looked at our squad, you would have to say on paper, it didn't look the strongest for the results we have had, and that's a great thing.
"But we need to carry that over into next year and hopefully be stronger.
"I can only talk from my personal fulfilment as a football manager at a great club, and it has been fantastic on that front.
"I have really enjoyed it. People have been tremendous and the players and the squad and the staff here - I have got to be honest, I think we have punched above our weight and long may that continue."