It wasn't Pardews fault Hughton got sacked (as far as I know) so explain the vitriol.
Seems that contract talks with Pardew started as early as October.
http://www.newcastle-online.org/nufcforum/index.php/topic,67026.msg2574212.html#msg2574212
In answer to the query, he wasn't an improvement on Hughton back then and he isn't an improvement on him now.