My point is that you're creaming yourself over the 5th place finish when it was more to do with luck than anything.
It wasn't down to Pardews tactical masterclass, injuries etc forced him into playing 4-3-3 which actually worked well for the attacking players. Back when they had players that could actually attack. The defence was still suspect and they rode their luck at times.
It wasn't Mike Ashley's desire to buy decent players and have a good go. A few happened to have a good season that year but faded badly the season after, they were heading down without the French revolution in the January sales.
Bruce deserves to be hammered, he was told not to take the job in the first place but he didn't listen. WTF are they doing in training? Having plenty days off by the looks of things, Shelvey is away playing golf most of the time. They don't look even remotely fit, even Almiron has lost some pace. The rest are down to a snails pace getting pretty much bypassed rather quickly. Their reaction times aren't quick enough, can't pass for shit and shooting is pathetic. All that is on Bruce, yes he's got a shit squad but that doesn't mean they can't be fit or concentrate on basic ball work. All perishable skills that need constant attention to keep up to speed, they aren't doing it. Putting square pegs in round holes, no clue of his best 11 or formation, over reliance on 1 or 2 players to conjure up something out of nothing.
As for Ashley well theres nothing I can say that hasn't been said a million times before.
I'd buy a new car!