Pardew defied the critics by guiding Newcastle to a fifth place finish in the Premier League last term and a place in European competition for the first time in five years.
Although the Magpies have struggled to replicate the high standards of last season, Pardew insists he remains satisfied by the team's form with the exception of a 17-day spell when the team lost four games.
A late defeat by Manchester United on Boxing Day suggests Newcastle are not enjoying much good fortune, but Pardew believes the team are in good fettle ahead of Saturday's match with Arsenal.
"You take November out of the calendar year and you have to say what a bloody great year we had," Pardew said. "But unfortunately November soured it and it's put us in a tricky position for this first half of the season.
"If we had picked up six points and been sitting on 26 with fourth place at 33, we would have been all right. We are really six points short of actually doing very well with the squad we have had.
"But we mustn't take our eye off it and think it's been okay or it's acceptable. It isn't and we have got to do better.
"You can't accept defeat, even at Old Trafford, and especially in the manner it was. You can't be going around smiling and all being happy with that.
"We need to be recharged. We have got to focus on Arsenal."
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