ALAN Pardew has reflected on an “eventful and demanding” first year as Newcastle manager by admitting that, in terms of the club’s current Premier League standing, it could hardly have gone any better.

But the United boss admits his side must now negotiate a “difficult period” if they are to sustain their fine start to the campaign and make it a “great season”.

The Magpies were unbeaten after the first 11 games of the league season and – 12 months on from Pardew’s surprise appointment – still lie sixth in the table despite recent defeats by Manchester City and Chelsea.

However, it is the injuries – to Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini in particular – Newcastle have suffered of late which will most trouble their manager going into the hectic Christmas period.

Yet buoyed by having “really enjoyed” his year at the St James’ Park helm, Pardew remains determined to maintain the quality of United’s on-field product.

“I’ve really enjoyed it, there were no doubts in my mind,” he said, of his 12 months since succeeding Chris Hughton. “It is such a huge club. I said that (that other managers had said he was crazy to take the job) a bit tongue in cheek. They said ‘What are you doing it for?’. But they are pleased for you.

“They said ‘You know what it’s like there, it’s a bit of a crazy club’. Well we’re not so crazy now. There isn’t so much bad news coming out.

“It’s about making sure we have a good product on the football pitch for the fans. I think the fans appreciate our team. We have to get through this difficult period because of all the injuries, but if we do we could have a great season.

“Has it been easier than I thought? No, but the end product is probably as good as I would have hoped for in terms of where we are in the league. I’m not going to disguise that. Certainly it has been eventful and demanding. I wouldn’t expect anything else at a big club like this.”

Pardew added: “I think our fans are realistic and they understand we can’t compete with the top four or five clubs on transfer fees, especially when someone comes in for our players.

“It is very difficult but then Arsenal have a problem so we certainly have as well.

“What we have got is that the players we are bringing in for less are doing as well as the ones we have lost. (Demba) Ba, for example, for (Andy) Carroll.

“We have to be on our toes all of the time and try to be the best team we can because we have proven over a period of games, not just one or two, that we can be competitive.”

Meanwhile, Pardew has described the loss of Danny Guthrie – for up to six weeks with a groin injury sustained against Chelsea – as a “blow”, and admitted he is keen to address the midfielder’s contract situation before he is free to leave at the end of the season.

He said: “Guthrie has not been a surprise to me because I always knew he was a good player, whose contract we need to look at.

“His stats from Saturday suggest it was one of his best games for us.

“In the first half we were up against it a little bit, but he still had some great moments for us. In the second half he really dominated the game. It is a blow to lose him. He has been terrific.

“He was unlucky to sit behind Cheick (Tiote) and (Yohan) Cabaye, who have both had terrific seasons. His chance came and he took it. “Unfortunately for him now, he has been taken out because of injury. He will be back and he will be back for a crucial period when Cheick goes to the African Cup of Nations.”