Newcastle United? More like London United...

Alan Pardew has been installed as Newcastle United manager, prompting a sharp level of discontent from fans in owner Mike Ashley's decision-making. Pardew joins the Magpies in an almost outrageous five-and-a-half year contract, a signal of intent that the former West Ham boss will be here for the long-term.

Some will be surprised if Pardew even makes it past five-and-a-half months. There is a feeling that Newcastle has gone all cockney with Ashley and his associate Derek Llambias having an affiliation with London. After all, both were born and made their riches in the capital. Not that there is anything about Londoners in general, but there is a feeling that their swagger and arrogance have alienated the working-class, northeast fans that live and breathe Newcastle.

Pardew is the latest southeastern personality to make the 300-mile journey up north, replacing another Londoner in Chris Hughton. Pardew will receive a hostile reception come Saturday teatime, and not entirely of his own doing, but the fans had taken to the humbleness of Hughton's man-management. His low profile kept Newcastle United's players grounded. Working hard, tremendous unity and low expectations were the values carried into this season. The latter didn't appeal to Ashley as we found out on Monday. But Pardew does carry some managerial clout in the top tier. He was a success at Reading before his acrimonious departure to West Ham when they were in the Championship. He fulfilled his expectations during his reign, earning promotion in his second season at the club and took the Hammers into the FA Cup Final in 2006.

While Toon fans are still hurting and angered by Hughton's sacking, Pardew seeks an antithesis of the anger similar to the student protests in London at his club. He'll provide the perfect tonic should they defeat Liverpool on Saturday.

Ashley ditches Hughton as Newcastle United owner looks for experience boss

Chris Hughton is sacked, but who will take on this poison chalice? (Action Images)

Newcastle United have had a long-standing reputation of sacking managers within a short period on the job, and earlier today they have inexplicably continued that trend.

Steering The Toon through a transition period after the turmoil of Premier League relegation in 2008, Chris Hughton had garnered support from the Newcastle faithful. Wins at Arsenal, Everton; trouncing fierce local rivals Sunderland as well as Aston Villa; a credible draw against Chelsea (who they also knocked out in the Carling Cup at Stamford Bridge), Hughton has been credited as the one who put the club back down to earth. No pretentious comments that they were going to vie for the Premier League title, no in-house scuffles, Hughton has got them working hard and playing hard.

And it is his ethos that has seen the likes of Kevin Nolan and more in particularly, Joey Barton rejuvenated. Andy Carroll has blossomed into the England spotlight thanks to Hughton's faith in him, especially when the local lad was arrested on assault charges earlier this season.

A positive start in the league has seen Newcastle positioned admirably in 12th, although interwoven by some odd and hugely disappointing results. After a crushing 6-o victory at home against Aston Villa, Newcastle produced an abject performance against Blackpool at St. James, losing 2-0. The surprising away win at Arsenal's Emirates was followed by an aberration at Bolton, and an inept defensive display at West Brom, going down 3-1.

And it is the day after the defeat at the Hawthorns that Mike Ashley and the board have had enough of Premier League inexperience and naivety. In comes, they hope, a top-class manager who has achieved everything there is to achieve in the game. No, pretty likely not. Early favourites for the Newcastle job were Alan Pardew, Alan Curbishley, Martin Jol and Martin O'Neill. While all credible candidates in their own right, do people honestly think either one can do a significantly better job than what Hughton has managed? This job is a poison chalice and many will now know it based on today's developments.

It is simply the point that Ashley wants immediate success in exchange for limited investment in acquiring new players. The new manager most likely will not be bankrolled huge sums of cash to bring in fresh faces, and a pep talk saying "work with what you've got, mate".

The peculiar timing has confused fans and media alike. We all had an inkling that Hughton would go sooner rather than later, but really this soon? It is not as if their ship was about to sink. Newcastle have not won in five, but still are in a relatively comfortable position. However, with the transfer window opening in less than a month, maybe Ashley just could not have trust Hughton with his wedge of money, whatever it may be. Hughton did not buy many players during his time, with only a 36-year old Sol Campbell and loanee Hatem Ben Arfa being Hughton's only high profile signings.

The signs are that fans may choose to alienate themselves from this embarrassment, while the media look to feast on Ashley. Maybe the fans will too do that. Newcastle boycott, anyone?

Danish consortium seals Croydon Athletic majority stakehold

Croydon Athletic has taken an absolute battering in the national media with the Mazhar Majeed cricket scandal. A tough start to their league campaign and laying second from bottom in the Ryman Premier, The Rams can see some light at the end of a miserable tunnel. A Danish consortium have confirmed it has agreed a 51% majority stake in the club from Majeed.