Victory over Everton in Saturday's early kick-off could take Pardew's side, briefly at least, above Manchester United into second, and 25 points from the first 33 on offer would represent a return exceeding the wildest dreams of most on Tyneside. The contribution of the two Taylors has been immense with Steven in particular impressing to the extent that his club manager has repeatedly recommended him to England counterpart Fabio Capello. As one of the few Geordies in the squad - the 25-year-old central defender was born in Greenwich, but raised in the shadow of St James' Park - Pardew believes he has a special affinity with the club. He said: "Steven definitely has a feeling for the club above other players, without a shadow of a doubt. "Little things he says and does - he knows. "He's been here through some of the good years, so he knows that this is a big, big club and if we can get a competitive team, then the fans can carry us to who knows where." The former England Under-21s skipper's partnership with captain Fabricio Coloccini has been one of the features of Newcastle's fine start. However, namesake Ryan's role has been no less significant, if slightly more unexpected. The 27-year-old arrived at St James' in February 2009 as a right-sided utility man, but was pitched into the unaccustomed territory of left-back in the wake of Jose Enrique's departure for Liverpool when James Perch suffered an injury on the eve on the opener against Arsenal. After a shaky start, the former Wigan man has grown into the position to such an extent that he has played every minute of the league campaign to date, and his winning goal at Sunderland on August 20 earned him a special place in the hearts of the Toon Army. Pardew said: "I'm absolutely delighted with him. He has got a real confidence about him. "The one thing we always knew is his technique is top, top quality. He has just fitted in and seems more comfortable at left-back than he does anywhere else. "He has proven to a lot of people in the squad that I have here that you must always train hard every day even if you are not in the side because if you get the chance, you can take it and I will remain faithful if I think you are doing a good job for the team." Midfielder Danny Guthrie too has benefited from that policy having replaced the injured Cheik Tiote in the last two games and made light of the Ivory Coast international's absence. Pardew will make a late decision on Tiote ahead of Saturday's encounter, but has already ruled out Frenchman Gabriel Obertan with an infection. His place on the right wing is likely to be taken by Sylvain Marveaux as the depth of a squad which is still small by Premier League standards is tested for the first time in earnest. Pardew is convinced his team will undergo another stern examination at the hands of Everton and their manager David Moyes, a man for whom he has great respect. He said: "Myself and David came on to the scene at a similar time and I have followed his career. "Our careers have been slightly different, but at the time, we were contemporaries at Preston and Reading, and he has had a terrific career. "This year, without any funds, it's been a little bit tougher, but again, he has shown his quality in terms of where they are at the moment and no doubt, they will finish higher than they are."
