Alan Pardew: “I have never enjoyed myself more as a football manager as I do now.
“Being a manager is a tough business and I’ve had a year which hasn’t been tough, instead it’s been really enjoyable.
“That is thanks to my staff and the players who have been brilliant.
“I am not going to say who I think is our player of the year; that would be ridiculous.
“But we have got four or five candidates and you could put a cigarette paper between them. That’s how good we have been.
“Someone said to me recently that, one to 11, I must be delighted. I told them I was delighted with one to 22. I really am.
“Guys like James Perch, Mike Williamson and Steven Taylor, before he got injured, have been great.
“Shane Ferguson has come in and done great in his cameos. Shola Ameobi has had a great season, although he’s obviously not going to win player of the year, but he’s made a fantastic impact.
“I can’t think of a negative within the squad. As a manager, I cannot remember the last time this has happened to me. It’s fantastic.”
Source: FOOTYMAD
