The whole City is distinctly underwhelmed by the choice of Alan Pardew to replace the popular Chris Hughton.

But Ashley doesn’t seem to care what the fans think so let’s at least make some money out of his latest bizarre appointment.

William Hill is offering 5/2 that Pardew is shown the door before the end of 2011 – and that’s a price I’m keen on.

He’s facing the toxic mix of winning over a sceptical crowd with a team running-out of the surprise element which has seen Newcastle pick-up more points than expected in their return to the top flight.

Pardew is also a proper Cockney working in a City whose opinion of southerners is lower than most girls’ tops in the Bigg Market.

This has all the hallmarks of a shotgun marriage which I can see ending in tears and a decent profit from Hills.

Pardew enjoyed success at Reading and for a time at West Ham. But his stock has fallen since and his managerial style seems out of its time.

He’s a firm believer in modern methods and management speak with far too much of the David Brent about him.

The rest of the season could be a rough ride for Newcastle fans and Pardew will have to take the flak because it just bounces off Ashley.

Elsewhere in the Premiership I like the look of West Brom at Villa where the Baggies are very much the form side and the 11/4 on offer from Coral is too tempting to resist.

Meanwhile down under our boys are really motoring – I almost feel sorry for the Aussies.

Our 11/4 tip for England to win the second test paid off handsomely and our pre-series picks for us to win the Ashes and Graeme Swann to top the bowling charts are chugging along nicely.

Here’s to another profitable weekend and a confident prediction that the first “Pardew Out” banner will be seen at St James’ Park – sorry the sportsdirect.com @ St James’ Park Stadium – before the first cuckoo of spring.

Running Total for all bets to a £10 stake:   +£129.50