And if he doesn't hit the ground running, then what? Umm and ahh and go back to Santon? Then back to Dummett?
It would be achingly typical of Pardew to drop Dummett now. I know he hasn't played well - I know. But as I keep saying; we've committed to giving him some games and there's been flashes of ability. Dropping him as soon as he's got his arse handed to him renders the whole thing a bit pointless imo because he hasn't had that long (behind a front six that's woefully disjointed, by the by).
If, by the end of the season, he's shown no improvement - fair enough. I'd get him and Haidara out on loan and look to invest in the position.
As for Davide, I wouldn't bat an eyelid if Roma or Milan threw £5m at us.
The point is, we have nothing to play for so may as well give our youngsters a run out. Dummett is playing incredibly poorly and doesn't deserve to be in the team..so let Haidara play for a few games, see what he can do with a decent run of them.
It's not the first game he has had his arse handed to him.