Pardew scores a fifty and could go higher

Following his appointment, Pardew used a total of 32 players last season and has utilised another 11 during this campaign. In 11 Championship matches so far, he has fielded a total of 27 players.

During his year in charge, he has had to sell prize assets such as Jermain Defoe, Michael Carrick and David James at a combined total of around £12 million, while spending in the region of £3m on replacements.

"It had to be done," said Pardew as he prepared his squad for the Wolves game. "The financial adjustment had to be made and we could only have people we could afford to pay.

"Before I came, Trevor Brooking worked with a very small squad. The feeling was that the board wanted to save any money they had until I was up and running.

"I had to sell Premiership players and replace them with those from the First Division. In effect I had to cut the wage bill and try and build a squad to go back up.

"You're not always going to get it right, but the only player I've bought and subsequently sold is Jobi McAnuff and that is because I needed the money to strengthen the squad in other areas.

"We're still not there, but I feel happier about the squad now. It's relatively strong, we have cover in most positions and I believe we have the right blend of experience and youth."

Things often change swiftly in football these days, but Pardew has wasted little time this season in orchestrating a defensive makeover already.

The towering Calum Davenport, signed by Tottenham from Coventry, has arrived in east London for three months on loan while the combative Malky Mackay has joined on a permanent deal from Norwich.

To complete the new-look back four, Pardew has also persuaded Charlton to part with the vastly experienced Chris Powell on an initial month's loan.

"This is a tough league and to do well in it you need a good squad of players, both in terms of quality and quantity," said Pardew.

"I think we're getting close, but I wouldn't say that was necessarily the end of the arrivals.

"Calum and Chris are both on loan deals and we don't know what will happen to them in the future. I still have a small pot of money at my disposal to spend if necessary and we'll keep a careful eye on the situation.

"Everything I've done has been with the aim of improving this club, probably with one exception.

"I would have loved to have kept Jermain Defoe, but the reality is that he hardly played because he was suspended and, in the end, he had to go.

"If he had stayed and played then he would obviously have scored vital goals for us, but that was in a perfect world and that doesn't exist in football, especially not when you're still coming to terms with the financial repercussions of relegation."

Wednesday's point at Derby keeps West Ham involved in what looks certain to be an intriguing promotion race and, as Pardew points out: "You have to try to do whatever it takes to help this club back up where they belong.

"If that means changing things significantly, then that has to be done.

"We would all like a settled and successful side and I believe we're working our way towards that now."