Until he was sacked after that deplorable game against WBA.
Much better tactically my arse. Hughton took a team with Carroll, Barton, Jonas, Ben Arfa, Tiote, Coloccini and Enrique, and had them losing 1-2 to Stoke at home. We created one single clear-cut chance all game with that team. Similiar can be said about games against Blackpool, Blackburn and Bolton.
Pardew took a team with Krul, Simpson, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Barton, Smith, Nolan, Ranger, Best, Routledge, Lovenkrands and Tiote to Stevenage and had them losing 3-1.
You've mentioned one game and 5 or 6 bad footballers.